/linkages/journal/ Volume 6 Number 10
1 November 2001
Published by the International Institute for Sustainable
Development (IISD)
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http://www.iisd.ca/journal/link0610e.pdf
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Linkages Journal offers the latest news, information and analysis
from international environment and development negotiations.
The November 2001 issue of Linkages Journal includes:
* media reports and news, including reports on the antarctic ozone
hole, fishing subsidies, and the susceptibility of ecosystems to
sudden changes;
* briefings on key meetings held in October 2001, including the
resumed third PrepCom for the FfD, the Open-ended Working Group on
Access and Benefit-sharing under the CBD, the Montreal Protocol
MOP-13, the UNCCD COP-5, and the WSSD regional preparatory
meetings for Africa, West Asia and Latin American and the
Caribbean;
* details of new journal articles, books and online reports;
* a comprehensive list of upcoming meetings. )
EDITOR'S NOTE
A message from Linkages Journal's Editor
THE THREE PILLARS OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
Meeting overload?
A large number of meetings took place during October, with
negotiators – as well as our Earth Negotiations Bulletin writers
and digital editors – shuttling across the planet. The meetings
ranged from the development-focused Third PrepCom for the
Financing for Development (FfD) Conference and COP-5 of the
Convention to Combat Desertification to the more technical and
"environment-focused" INC-8 for an International Legally Binding
Instrument for the Application of the Prior Informed Consent
(PIC) Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides
in International Trade (Rotterdam Convention) and the Montreal
Protocol MOP-13 meeting.
Regional Preparatory Meetings for WSSD
Three regional preparatory meetings for the WSSD also took place
during October, and with only one regional preparatory meeting –
the East Asia and the Pacific Region – left before WSSD PrepCom II,
the challenges ahead and potential areas for convergence are
beginning to emerge. Developing countries' view that the
Johannesburg Summit is about sustainable development, a leap from
the Rio legacy of environment and development, has emerged loud
and clear during the preparations to date. Yet, the lack of
integration – or deliberate marginalization of the economic and
social pillars in the regional meetings – suggests the need first
to resolve this sectoral compartmentalization at the national
level in order to achieve implementable Johannesburg outputs.
More specifically on priorities for the WSSD, the African
Ministerial Statement, characterized by some as a "big family wish
list," emphasized the need for the Summit to focus on poverty,
globalization, financing and debt, and governance. Soon after the
meeting, the South African government announced its own priorities,
suggesting "Planet, People and Prosperity" as the main theme.
Themes emerging from the other regions included "new globalization"
– that ensures equitable, inclusive and sustainable development –
suggested by the Latin America and Caribbean region. The region will
also champion financing for sustainable development, with the
related Financing for Development conference taking place in Mexico
several months ahead of the WSSD. West Asia highlighted the themes
of peace and security as the Region's priorities, with many delegates
recognizing that militarization consumes significant resources that
could be better used for human resource development and hinders the
ability to share scarce water resources.
Meanwhile in Marrakesh…
As the current issue of Linkages Journal is sent out to subscibers
and posted on the web, negotiations at UNFCCC COP-7 are ongoing,
and a number of meetings are scheduled for November, including the
Second World Conference on Technology Advances for Sustainable
Development, the conference on Equity for a Small Planet and CBD
SBSTTA-7.
Malena Sell
Editor, Linkages Journal
RECENT MEETINGS
Information on recent conferences, workshops and symposia in the
field of environment and development negotiations
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
PART TWO OF THE THIRD PREPARATORY COMMITTEE FOR THE INTERNATIONAL
CONFERENCE ON FINANCING FOR DEVELOPMENT: The resumed Third
Preparatory Committee (PrepCom) for the International Conference
on Financing for Development (FfD) took place from 15-19 October
2001 at the United Nations headquarters in New York. The FfD
Conference is scheduled to convene in Monterrey, Mexico from 18-22
March 2002. Delegates from 140 countries attended the PrepCom, as
did representatives from specialized agencies and UN
organizations, intergovernmental organizations, and NGOs.
Delegates met in Plenary throughout the week to engage in a
conceptual discussion of the Draft Outcome (A/AC.257/25) prepared
by FfD Facilitator Mauricio Escanero (Mexico) and to discuss the
FfD process. General debates on Monday and Tuesday were followed
by comments and recommendations on the three sections of the Draft
Outcome. Delegates agreed that the Facilitator should take note of
their suggestions and redraft the document by the end of November
2001, for consideration at the Fourth PrepCom in January 2002. The
Plenary elected new officers to the Bureau, heard an update on
activities toward the Conference, and addressed accreditation
issues, the fourth report of the Bureau and the rules of
procedure.
The PrepCom opened on a divisive note, with delegates expressing
strong disagreement over the content of the Draft Outcome.
Developed countries expressed concern that the document
overemphasized international actions. Some suggested that the text
should be withdrawn. Developing countries maintained that the
Draft Outcome should serve as the basis for discussion, and the G-
77/China offered commentary on the text.
By the end of the week, hardline positions had softened slightly
and talks on systemic issues, which some delegates had predicted
would pose the greatest challenges of the meeting, took place with
cordiality and engagement. Observers called the resumed Third
PrepCom a critical point in the FfD process and expressed optimism
about the prospects for Monterrey. They emphasized that the
opportunity for governments and stakeholders to exchange ideas may
be as important to FfD as the substance of an agreed outcome text.
The Earth Negotiations Bulletin report outlining these discussions
in detail can be found at: http://www.iisd.ca/ffd/pc3/
PREPARATIONS FOR THE JOHANNESBURG SUMMIT 2002
WEST ASIA REGIONAL PREPARATORY MEETING: The West Asia Regional
Preparatory meeting for the World Summit on Sustainable
Development (WSSD) took place at the League of Arab States
headquarters in Cairo, Egypt, on 24 October 2001. Ten North
African and 12 Middle Eastern countries make up the Arab Region,
referred to by the UN as the West Asia Region. The regional
meeting was attended by approximately 140 government delegates and
observers, including NGO representatives and international
organizations.
Prior to the meeting, the Joint Committee on Environment and
Development in the Arab Region (JCEDAR) met in a two-day special
session on Sunday and Monday, 21-22 October, while the Bureau of
Arab Ministers Responsible for the Environment met on Tuesday, 23
October, and the Council of Arab Ministers Responsible for the
Environment (CAMRE) met on Wednesday morning, 24 October.
Following these meetings that were held to develop and discuss the
WSSD Progress Assessment Report for the Arab Region, the Arab
Declaration to the WSSD, and the Arab Address, a formal half-day
Plenary was convened on Wednesday evening, 24 October, for
presentation and adoption of the documents. Discussion was
limited, as most issues had been resolved in the three days
leading up to the Regional Preparatory meeting. Key regional
issues emerging from the Cairo meetings include peace and
security, poverty, debt, water management and the need for
integration across sectors and political levels.
The West Asia Preparatory meeting was the shortest of the four
regional meetings held so far in preparation for the WSSD. It
convened for less than four hours, instead of the two days
scheduled. While participants considered the meeting's outcomes
balanced and comprehensive, a lingering challenge is how the
Region will ensure its outputs are integrated at different levels.
The Earth Negotiations Bulletin report outlining these discussions
in detail can be found at: http://www.iisd.ca/2002/wswas/
LATIN AMERICA AND THE CARIBBEAN REGIONAL PREPARATORY MEETING: The
Latin America and Caribbean Regional Preparatory Conference for
the WSSD took place at Rio Centro in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, from
23-24 October 2001. Representatives of 27 Economic Commission for
Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) States, three associate
members of ECLAC, five non-ECLAC UN member States, and
representatives from UN agencies, multilateral financial
institutions, and NGOs attended the Conference.
Delegates considered progress achieved in implementation of Agenda
21, discussed the document regarding "The sustainability of
development in Latin America and the Caribbean: Challenges and
opportunities," and heard statements by ministers and
representatives of international organizations and civil society.
A Special Session, during which Brazilian President Fernando
Henrique Cardoso spoke, was held on Tuesday, 23 October, and a
high-level Panel on Financing Sustainable Development was convened
on the same day.
At the end of the meeting, delegates adopted the "Rio de Janeiro
Platform for Action on the Road to Johannesburg 2002," which
includes sections on: reaffirmation of principles and commitments;
obstacles and lessons learned; present considerations; and future
commitments. The Earth Negotiations Bulletin report outlining
these discussions in detail can be found at:
http://www.iisd.ca/2002/wslac/
AFRICAN REGIONAL PREPARATORY MEETING: The African Regional
Preparatory Conference for the WSSD took place at UNEP
headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya, from 15-18 October 2001. The
Conference was attended by approximately 300 government delegates
and observers.
During the four-day Conference, delegates met in a two-day
Technical Segment on Monday and Tuesday, 15-16 October, and a two-
day Ministerial Segment held on Wednesday and Thursday, 17-18
October. The Conference aimed to outline key regional policy
issues, priorities and follow-up actions for the WSSD, provide
substantial inputs to its preparatory process, and forward
regional views on international cooperation for sustainable
development at the regional and global levels. Delegates
negotiated an African Ministerial Statement drawing on an
Assessment Report and the outcomes of subregional preparatory
meetings. The African Ministerial Statement reviews the last
decade, identifying the achievements and constraints faced, and
highlights 26 priority areas for action.
Despite flaws both in process and substance, and numerous
procedural hitches, delegates were satisfied with the final
African Ministerial Statement. Many considered it more balanced,
direct and specific than the initial draft, although in need of
additional focus. While there was enthusiasm that holding the WSSD
in Johannesburg presents an opportunity for Africa to drive the
process, there was acknowledgement that the real test is whether
the G-77/China will buy into Africa's agenda. The Earth
Negotiations Bulletin report outlining these discussions in detail
can be found at: http://www.iisd.ca/2002/africa/
UNEP 18TH CONSULTATIVE MEETING WITH INDUSTRY ASSOCIATIONS: The
UNEP 18th Consultative Meeting with Industry Associations was held
in Paris, France from 4-5 October 2001. Representatives from about
50 industry associations from around the world and non-industry
civil society groups and NGOs met to discuss business and
industry's role in contributing to the WSSD preparatory process.
Participants were first briefed on progress made at a previous
workshop where industry representatives and stakeholders had met
to discuss draft sector reports for the Summit. Presentations were
then heard on preparations for the Summit by representatives of
UNEP's Division of Technology, Industry and Economics, the World
Business Council on Sustainable Development and Greenpeace. Over
the two days, participants met in four sessions that considered
the following topics: Agenda 21 and the WSSD - the contribution of
business and industry; cleaner production and reduced material
intensities; trends that shape the market place; and corporate
citizenship and accountability. Discussions highlighted the need
for partnerships and greater involvement of business and industry
from the developing world and several speakers advocated a more
pro-active approach on the part of industry in addressing the
issue of sustainable development. More information on this meeting
is available online at:
http://www.uneptie.org/outreach/business/ind_meeting2001.htm
FOURTH MEETING OF THE WSSD BUREAU: The Fourth meeting of the
Bureau took place in New York from 1-2 October 2001. The Bureau
assessed the state of preparations for the Johannesburg Summit at
the regional and sub-regional levels and considered further
details of the programme of work during the second session of the
PrepCom for the Summit. The Bureau met with representatives of the
UN Office of the Coordinator of Humanitarian Affairs to discuss
links between WSSD and UN activities in the area of natural
disaster reduction. In addition, the Bureau also convened with the
Bureau of the Executive Board of UNDP and the Bureau of the
Preparatory Committee for the International Conference on
Financing for Development to discuss linkages between preparations
for the Summit and the other two intergovernmental processes, in
particular how these processes could support each other and
achieve synergies. Notes on the Outcome of Fourth Bureau Meeting
are available online at:
http://www.johannesburgsummit.org/web_pages/jakarta_bureau_notes.h
tm
BIODIVERSITY
FIRST AD HOC OPEN-ENDED WORKING GROUP ON ACCESS AND BENEFIT-
SHARING: The first meeting of the Ad Hoc Open-ended Working Group
on Access and Benefit-sharing under the Convention on Biological
Diversity (CBD) was held at the International Congress Centre
Bundeshaus in Bonn, Germany, from 22-26 October 2001. The Working
Group was established by the CBD's fifth Conference of the Parties
(COP) to develop guidelines and other approaches for access to
genetic resources and benefit-sharing (ABS). Approximately 350
participants from 87 countries and 88 intergovernmental, non-
governmental and industry organizations attended. During the
meeting, delegates met in Plenary and two sub-working groups. Sub-
Working Group I discussed the development of draft guidelines on
ABS. Sub-Working Group II discussed an action plan for capacity
building, approaches other than guidelines to ABS and the role of
intellectual property rights (IPR) in the implementation of the
ABS arrangements.
Delegates expressed general satisfaction that they were able to
complete discussions on the bulk of the draft guidelines without
the need for additional meetings, although outstanding issues on
the use of terms, derivatives and annexes remain for COP-6 to
resolve. On the issue of IPR and ABS, several delegates were
pleasantly surprised at the detailed recommendations for further
information and analysis on issues including disclosure of prior
informed consent (PIC), the country of origin and use of
traditional knowledge in patent applications. Discussions also
produced the core elements for a plan of action on capacity
building, which will likely be further addressed at an
intersessional workshop. The Working Group's recommendations will
be forwarded to the Working Group on Article 8(j) (4-8 February,
2002; Montreal, Canada) and CBD COP-6 (8-19 April 2002; The Hague,
the Netherlands). The Earth Negotiations Bulletin report outlining
these discussions in detail can be found at:
http://www.iisd.ca/biodiv/abs-wg1/index.html
WORKSHOP ON THE CONVENTION ON BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY AND
INTERNATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL GOVERNANCE: This workshop took place
on 8 October 2001 at the Royal Institute of International Affairs
(RIIA) in London, UK. NGOs, government representatives and other
participants met to discuss the CBD in light of the ongoing
negotiations on international environmental governance. The
workshop was organized by the Royal Society for the Protection of
Birds, RIIA and the UK Department for Environment, Food and Rural
Affairs. After hearing statements by Hamdallah Zedan, Executive
Secretary of the CBD, and by several other presenters,
participants discussed various CBD-related issues in the context
of the debate on international environmental governance. Some
participants raised concerns that biodiversity conventions had not
succeeded in stemming worldwide biodiversity loss, and that major
changes, such as globalization, have occurred since the CBD was
negotiated. Participants stressed that international governance-
related changes should add value to the work of multilateral
environmental agreements and that issues of poverty and over-
consumption needed to be addressed. Emphasizing the links to
health, food security and natural disasters was suggested to help
communicate the work of the CBD more effectively to the public.
More information on this meeting is available by e-mailing Joy
Hyvarinen at: joy.hyvarinen@rspb.org.uk
SECOND MEETING OF THE INTERGOVERNMENTAL COMMITTEE FOR THE
CARTAGENA PROTOCOL ON BIOSAFETY: The second meeting of the
Intergovernmental Committee for the Cartagena Protocol on
Biosafety (ICCP) to the CBD was held in Nairobi, Kenya from 1-5
October 2001. Approximately 350 participants from 117 countries
and 47 intergovernmental, non-governmental and industry
organizations attended.
Delegates met in Plenary and in two working groups to discuss
agenda items from ICCP-1 as well as a number of new issues.
Working Group I (WG-I) addressed matters related to information
sharing, handling, transport, packaging and identification,
monitoring and reporting, and considered other issues necessary
for the Protocol's implementation. Working Group II (WG-II)
addressed issues concerning capacity building, the roster of
experts, guidance to the financial mechanism, decision-making
procedures, liability and redress, and compliance. The Plenary
considered: the Secretariat, Rules of Procedure; the agenda of the
first Conference of the Parties (COP) serving as the Meeting of
the Parties (MOP-1); cooperation with the International Plant
Protection Convention (IPPC) under other matters; and preparatory
work for MOP-1.
Delegates expressed satisfaction at the progress made during the
meeting, while noting its predominant focus on process over
substance. ICCP-2 highlighted continued concerns regarding
capacity building and information sharing as essential elements
for the Protocol's ratification and implementation at the national
level. Discussions on the documentation of living modified
organisms for food, feed or processing (LMO-FFPs), liability and
redress, and compliance underscored tensions dating back to the
negotiation of the Protocol, while focusing on the exact nature of
future processes to address them.
ICCP-2 developed recommendations on its agenda items, which will
be forwarded to MOP-1 for consideration. In the event that the
50th instrument of ratification is not deposited by 8 January
2002, delegates proposed that a third ICCP meeting be convened to
maintain momentum on preparations for the Protocol's effective
implementation at the time of its entry into force. The Earth
Negotiations Bulletin report outlining these discussions in detail
can be found at: http://www.iisd.ca/biodiv/iccp2/index.html
CHEMICAL MANAGEMENT
EIGHTH SESSION OF THE INC FOR AN INTERNATIONAL LEGALLY BINDING
INSTRUMENT FOR THE APPLICATION OF THE PRIOR INFORMED CONSENT
PROCEDURE FOR CERTAIN HAZARDOUS CHEMICALS AND PESTICIDES IN
INTERNATIONAL TRADE: The eighth session of the Intergovernmental
Negotiating Committee for an International Legally Binding
Instrument for the Application of the Prior Informed Consent (PIC)
Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in
International Trade (INC-8) was held from 8-12 October 2001 in
Rome, Italy. Over 260 delegates from more than 110 countries,
including representatives of IGOs and NGOs, attended the five-day
meeting.
The overall goal of INC-8 was to consider the major issues
associated with the implementation of the interim PIC procedure,
and to prepare for the entry into force of the Convention. During
the session, delegates discussed: the work of the Interim Chemical
Review Committee (ICRC); implementation of the interim PIC
procedure; and preparation for the COP. INC-8 resolved a number of
complex questions associated with discontinuation of the interim
PIC procedure and on conflict of interest in the ICRC, although
consideration of some contentious issues, such as treatment of
non-Parties after discontinuation of the interim PIC procedure and
composition of the PIC regions, have been deferred to INC-9. The
Earth Negotiations Bulletin report outlining these discussions in
detail can be found at:
http://www.iisd.ca/chemical/pic/pic8/index.html
CLIMATE AND ATMOSPHERE
13TH MEETING OF THE PARTIES TO THE MONTREAL PROTOCOL ON SUBSTANCES
THAT DEPLETE THE OZONE LAYER: The 13th Meeting of the Parties
(MOP-13) to the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the
Ozone Layer convened in Colombo, Sri Lanka, from 16-19 October
2001. The meeting was attended by 325 participants from 108
countries, representing governments, UN agencies, and IGOs and
NGOs.
A preparatory segment was held from 16-17 October, followed by a
high-level segment from 18-19 October. MOP-13 adopted decisions
on, inter alia: the terms of reference (TOR) for a study on the
2003-2005 replenishment of the Multilateral Fund for the
Implementation of the Montreal Protocol; an evaluation and review
of the performance of the Protocol's financial mechanism; a review
of the Multilateral Fund's fixed-exchange-rate mechanism; Parties'
compliance; procedures for assessing the ozone-depleting potential
(ODP) of new substances; expedited procedures for adding new
substances to the Protocol; chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) production
for metered-dose inhalers (MDIs); monitoring of international
trade and prevention of illegal trade in ozone-depleting
substances (ODS) and mixtures and products containing ODS; and the
budget of the Trust Fund. MOP-13 also adopted the Colombo
Declaration and took note of a Pacific Island Country Declaration.
The focus of MOP-13 was on the implementation of existing
commitments, rather than the negotiation of new provisions. MOP-13
marked the first opportunity to review compliance by developing
countries with their initial ODS controls, thus quietly launching
a new era in the regime. The Earth Negotiations Bulletin report
outlining these discussions in detail can be found at:
http://www.iisd.ca/ozone/mop13/
18TH SESSION OF THE INTERGOVERNMENTAL PANEL ON CLIMATE CHANGE: The
eighteenth session of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate
Change (IPCC-18) was held from 24-29 September 2001, in London,
UK. Approximately 280 delegates, experts and representatives of
international and non-governmental organizations attended the
session.
The session focused on approving/adopting the Synthesis Report of
the IPCC's Third Assessment Report (TAR). The Synthesis Report,
which consists of a summary for policy-makers (SPM) and an
underlying longer part, integrates the information contained
within the TAR and draws on all previously approved and accepted
IPCC reports to address nine policy-relevant questions identified
by the IPCC, based on submissions by governments. It is the first
such report prepared by the IPCC.
Participants met in Plenary throughout the six-day session,
convening contact groups to address contentious issues. Throughout
the week, they approved the SPM using a line-by-line approach and
adopted the underlying longer part paragraph-by-paragraph during
the final two days. The approval/adoption of the Synthesis Report
was completed on Saturday, 29 September. In addition, delegates
took a number of management decisions, including to: retain the
current three working groups, maintain the Task Force on
Inventories, and keep the size of the IPCC Bureau at 30 members;
adopt the IPCC work programme and budget for 2002-2004; endorse a
scoping paper for the Technical Paper on Climate Change and
Biological Diversity and endorse in principle the preparation of a
technical paper on climate change and sustainable development;
accept a work programme on Good Practice Guidance on Land Use,
Land-Use Change and Forestry and authorize further work on
developing definitions for degradation and devegetation; and
authorize the preparation of scoping papers for any work requested
by the Seventh Conference of the Parties (COP-7) to the UN
Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
The finalization of the Synthesis Report completed nearly five
years of work on the TAR. The issue of how governments will
respond to the Synthesis Report and make use of its answers to
policy-relevant questions remains to be seen. Their first
opportunity to respond will be COP-7, where an in-depth debate on
the TAR is scheduled to take place. The Earth Negotiations
Bulletin report outlining these discussions in detail can be found
at: http://www.iisd.ca/climate/ipcc18/
DESERTIFICATION
FIFTH CONFERENCE OF THE PARTIES TO THE CONVENTION TO COMBAT
DESERTIFICATION: The Fifth Conference of the Parties (COP-5) to
the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (CCD) took place at
the Palais des Nations in Geneva, Switzerland, from 1-13 October
2001. Attended by delegates from over 150 Parties, eight observer
States, 15 UN agencies and relevant organizations, and 17 IGOs, as
well as numerous NGOs, COP-5 focused on setting the modalities of
work for the two-year interval before the next COP, scheduled for
October 2003.
The COP was organized within the overall theme of poverty and the
environment, in preparation for the 2002 World Summit on
Sustainable Development (WSSD). The preparations were undertaken
through an NGO dialogue session, High Level Special Segment,
parallel meetings of the Committee on Science and Technology
(CST), the fourth Interparliamentary Round Table and a Panel of
Eminent Personalities.
Progress was made in a number of areas, most notably, the
establishment of the Committee for the Review of Implementation of
the Convention (CRIC), the identification of modalities to improve
the efficiency and effectiveness of the CST, and the enhancement
of the CCD's financial base following strong support for a
proposal by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) to designate
land degradation as another focal area for funding. The COP
adopted 26 decisions, ten of which were drafted in the CST, which
met in a parallel session to the COP from 2-5 October.
To conclude their work, delegates had to hold protracted
negotiations in the contact groups on the CRIC and on the
programme and budget. The Earth Negotiations Bulletin report
outlining these discussions in detail can be found at:
http://www.iisd.ca/desert/cop5/
INTERGOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS
MEETING ON THE THIRD REPLENISHMENT OF THE GEF TRUST FUND: The
third GEF replenishment meeting met from 11-12 October 2001 in
Edinburgh, Scotland. Participants took stock of the funding status
and commented on an interim report of the Second Overall
Performance Study, concluding that the report provided a good
basis for replenishing the GEF Trust Fund. Participants
underscored the need for more efforts in developing quantifiable
indicators to measure the impact of GEF activities on the global
environment. After suggesting a range of new issues to be included
in the final report, participants agreed to a schedule for
preparation of the final report and engaged in a dialogue on the
programming of resources and potential reference currencies that
would be used under GEF-3. A presentation on Initial Discussions
of Structure, Processes and Procedures of the GEF and a joint
statement from the Heads of the Implementing Agencies were heard.
More information on this meeting is available online at:
http://www.gefweb.org/Replenishment/Reple_Documents/reple_document
s.html
OCEANS AND COASTS
REYKJAVIK CONFERENCE ON RESPONSIBLE FISHERIES IN THE MARINE
ECOSYSTEM: The Reykjavik Conference on Responsible Fisheries in
the Marine Ecosystem met from 1-4 October 2001 in Reykjavik,
Iceland. The conference was organized by the Government of Iceland
and the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), and was co-
sponsored by the Government of Norway. The meeting was attended by
over 400 participants, including representatives from FAO Member
States and other UN Member States, UN bodies and agencies,
intergovernmental and nongovernmental organizations, academic and
scientific institutions, and industry.
The conference presented stakeholders with an opportunity to
gather and review the best available knowledge on marine and
ecosystem issues. It sought to establish a means by which
ecosystem considerations could be included in capture fisheries
management, and to identify future challenges and relevant
strategies.
To achieve these objectives, participants met in plenary sessions
and a Scientific Symposium, in which invited experts presented
their research and views and participants engaged in general
discussions and raised questions from the floor. During the
Symposium, participants focused on key scientific issues for
ecosystem-based fisheries management, including the dynamics of
marine ecosystems, the role of people in marine ecosystems, and
methods to incorporate ecosystem considerations into fisheries
management. On Wednesday, 3 October, delegates met in Plenary to
hear statements from countries, NGOs, intergovernmental
organizations and UN agencies.
Following field trips to local fisheries sites on Thursday
morning, 4 October, delegates reconvened for a final Plenary in
the evening and approved the Reykjavik Declaration on Responsible
Fisheries in the Marine Ecosystem. An open-ended drafting
committee established at the start of the conference formulated
this Declaration during intensive negotiations. The Declaration
will be submitted to the World Summit on Sustainable Development
for its consideration. The Sustainable Developments report
outlining these discussions in detail can be found at:
http://www.iisd.ca/crs/sdice/
SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT
FOURTH INTERNATIONAL FORUM ON URBAN POVERTY: The Fourth
International Forum on Urban Poverty was held from 16-19 October
2001 in Marrakesh, Morocco. The Forum consisted of two sets of
workshops - one on ''Productive Cities'' and the other on
''Inclusive Cities.'' Participants heard presentations on the role
of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) in poverty
reduction based on ongoing initiatives in Egypt, Estonia, Peru,
Zimbabwe, and South Asia, and a case study on the use of ICT in
Senegal as a means of improving governance. Participants also
attended workshops on the role of employment policies and finance
in relieving urban poverty, and heard presentations that focused
on different strategies for promoting social inclusion through
housing and urban development. During the sessions on urban
governance, participants were presented with eight case studies
that included examples of local economic restructuring, local
economic development potential assessment, and pro-poor
governance. More information on this meeting is available online
at: http://www.unchs.org/ifup/conf/morocco1.htm
WETLANDS
RAMSAR EAST ASIAN SUBREGIONAL MEETING: The Ramsar East Asian
Subregional Meeting took place in Bangkok, Thailand from 1-3
October 2001. Participants met to take stock of the implementation
of the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands and the use of the National
Reporting Format within the region, as well as to carry out early
consultations with Contracting Parties in the East Asian region
regarding the proposed agenda for next year's Ramsar COP8.
Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Mongolia, the
Philippines, Thailand, Laos, and Myanmar presented Country
Reports, and contracting Parties discussed Ramsar's Strategic Plan
for the 2003-2008 period. Parties then heard and commented on
presentations made at five Technical sessions: Wetlands - major
challenges and emerging opportunities in the new century; Wetland
inventory and assessment; Practical steps for applying the vision
for the Ramsar List of Wetlands of International Importance;
Managing wetlands for sustainable use - lessons learnt and new
perspectives; and Cultural aspects of wetlands as a tool for their
conservation and sustainable use. Delegates then discussed the key
issues for the work of the Convention in the region. The Ramsar
Bureau concluded by providing an outline of the upcoming COP-8 in
Spain, noting that the agenda had already been distributed. More
information on this meeting is available online at:
http://www.ramsar.org/mtg_reg_eastasia2001_rpt.htm
MEDIA REPORTS
The latest news from the field of international environment and
development negotiations, with links to relevant media coverage
and press releases
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
AARHUS CONVENTION COMES INTO FORCE
The Convention on Access to Information, Public Participation in
Decision-Making and Access to Justice in Environmental Matters or
Aarhus Convention has entered into force. The pan-European
Convention, which was negotiated by the UN Economic Commission for
Europe, is said to protect the environment and promote democracy
by increasing transparency and accountability of governments. The
public will be provided access to environmental information held
by public authorities, given permission to review procedures when
their rights to information and participation have been violated,
and in special cases, be allowed to challenge violators of
environmental laws. "The Aarhus Convention is the most ambitious
venture in environmental democracy undertaken under the auspices
of the United Nations. The firm commitment to [the Convention's]
principles of … States in Eastern Europe and Central Asia …
clearly demonstrates that environmental rights are not a luxury
reserved for rich countries," said UN Secretary-General, Kofi
Annan.
Links to further information
UNECE press release, 29 October 2001
http://www.unece.org/press/pr2001/01env15e.htm
NORDIC COUNTRIES TOP SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT CHART
Nordic countries are best at balancing human development with
environmental conservation, according to "The Wellbeing of
Nations," a report by the International Development Research
Centre (IDRC) and The World Conservation Union (IUCN). The study,
which ranked 180 countries by human indicators relating to wealth,
education, freedom, governance and peace, and environmental
indicators relating to land, air, water, biodiversity and resource
use, ranked Sweden, Finland, Norway and Iceland at the top of the
list. Germany ranked 12th, while Japan was placed 24th and the US
was 27th. Key conditions for combining high human wellbeing and
low ecosystem stress were found to be freedom, good governance,
and education. Although large differences in ecosystem stress were
found to occur between countries with similar standards of living,
no country was reported to be sustainable or to approach
sustainability. IUCN Director General, Achim Steiner said, "the
report suggests that a high standard of living is possible without
ruining the environment by changing the way that development is
pursued."
Links to further information
IUCN press release, 11 October 2001
http://www.iucn.org/info_and_news/press/wbon.html
BUSINESS GROUPS URGE GOVERNMENTS TO PAY FOR JOHANNESBURG SUMMIT
Business Action for Sustainable Development (BASD), a global
coalition of business associations, has called on governments to
provide funding for next year's Johannesburg Summit to relieve
South Africa of the financial burden it was bearing for hosting
the event. Over 140 high-level business leaders met with Nitin
Desai over two days in Paris to discuss business preparation
strategies for the Summit. Business representatives resolved to
ensure that the Summit economically benefited Johannesburg and
South Africa, agreeing to mobilize business support for
infrastructure development, investment and social programmes. The
South African Government had sought contributions from the private
sector, but business representatives felt that this would
instigate charges that the private sector was trying in influence
the Summit process and outcome. BASD chairman, Sir Mark Moody-
Stuart closed the meeting by saying, ''we should use the influence
we are supposed to have with governments to get the necessary
funding. We told participants - Go home, and lean on your
governments to do their bit.''
Links to further information
BASD press release, 10 October 2001
http://www.basd-action.net/news/releases/10oct2001.htm
PRONK APPOINTED AS SUMMIT ENVOY
Dutch Environment Minister Jan Pronk has been appointed by the UN
Secretary-General to act as the Special Envoy for the Johannesburg
Summit. Pronk - who presided over the recent climate change
negotiations in Bonn in July and last year in The Hague - will
work with high-level political leaders and assess their views on
the goals of the WSSD. UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan has also
appointed Nitin Desai, Under-Secretary-General for Economic and
Social Affairs, to serve as Secretary-General of the Johannesburg
Summit. A high-level Advisory Panel of experts from various fields
is being established to discuss new approaches for attaining the
goals of sustainable development. Twelve people have already
accepted the Secretary-General's invitation to be on the panel.
Links to further information
UN wire press release, 24 October 2001
http://www.unfoundation.org/unwire/current.asp#20179
SUSTAINABILITY COMES UNDER SPOTLIGHT FOR FINANCIAL SECTOR
Sustainability came under the spotlight in the financial sector as
Export Credit Agencies (ECAs), banks, insurers and private sector
financiers met with environmental experts and the UN for the first
time to discuss the environmental effects of finance operations at
a recent workshop in Paris. ECAs fund billion-dollar
infrastructure projects, such as dams and roads in developing
countries, which have potential adverse environmental impacts.
Jacqueline Aloisi de Larderel, Assistant Executive Director of
UNEP expressed hope that the financial community will ultimately
adopt "sustainable practices" when providing financial support for
investments in infrastructure and equipment, a move called for by
world leaders at the 1997 Denver G8 Summit.
Links to further information
UNEP press release, 22 October 2001
http://www.enn.com/direct/display-release.asp?id=5447
BIODIVERSITY
ECOSYSTEMS SUSCEPTIBLE TO SUDDEN CHANGES
Decades of continuous pressure from human activity have made many
global ecosystems vulnerable to sudden environmental changes,
according to an international consortium of scientists, whose
findings were published recently in Nature. According to their
report, the resilience of stressed ecosystems, such as coral
reefs, tropical forests and northern lakes and forests, has been
weakened to the point where the slightest disturbance can
potentially cause a collapse to the system. Constant change,
whether from increased nutrient levels or human exploitation, is
common for most ecosystems, while climate change has introduced
another destabilizing factor that is currently putting ecosystems
in a more precarious position. "A shock that formerly would not
have knocked a system into another state now has the potential to
do so," said scientists Stephen Carpenter and Jonathan Foley.
Links to further information
Environmental News Network, 12 October 2001
http://www.enn.com/news/enn-stories/2001/10/10122001/s_45241.asp
CLIMATE AND ATMOSPHERE
ANTARCTIC OZONE HOLE SMALLER THIS YEAR
The ozone hole above Antarctica has stopped growing for this year
and is ten percent smaller than it was last year, say scientists
from NASA and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
The Antarctic ozone hole, which is currently as large as North
America, has remained steady in size and thickness over the past
several years, due to the leveling off in use of ozone-depleting
substances (ODS). The severity of the Antarctic ozone hole is
expected to decrease over the next 30-50 years as concentrations
of ODS in the atmosphere decline. According to NASA scientists,
the ozone layer will take at least 50 years to recover to levels
observed prior to 1980, although climate change could impede this
process.
Links to further information
Environmental News Network, 22 October 2001
http://enn.com/news/enn-stories/2001/10/10222001/ozone_45313.asp
DESERTIFICATION
SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE FINDS ANSWER IN ZERO TILLAGE
Millions of hectares of agricultural land can be protected from
degradation and erosion through "Conservation Agriculture,"
according to the FAO. During the recent World Congress on
Conservation Agriculture, FAO representatives noted that, while
conventional intensive agriculture causes severe soil loss and
land degradation through tillage, conservation agriculture in
contrast practices low or no tillage, keeping a layer of leaves,
stems and stalks over the soil, thus preventing soil erosion and
soil moisture evaporation. Reducing tillage also lowers fuel and
labor costs, and has shown to yield crop harvests comparable to
those of modern intensive agriculture. Conservation agriculture is
currently being practiced in parts of the US, Brazil, Argentina,
Canada and Paraguay. The FAO, which has been promoting the concept
for 10 years, is expanding its programme to other regions,
including Africa, Central and South Asia.
Links to further information
FAO press release, 1 October 2001
http://www.fao.org/WAICENT/OIS/PRESS_NE/PRESSENG/2001/pren0159.htm
FORESTS
TROPICAL DEFORESTATION CONTINUES AT HIGH RATE
Tropical forests are continually being cleared at a high rate,
with 93% of natural tropical forests being converted to other land
uses, says a new FAO State of the World's Forests report. Ninety-
four percent of worldwide deforestation of natural forests
occurred in the tropics during the 1990s, with the highest losses
being in South America and Africa. China, Belarus, Kazakhstan, the
Russian Federation and the US saw the highest net increases in
forest area. The FAO report says that corruption and illegal
forest practices threaten forest protection, citing trade
liberalization and globalization as reasons for increased illegal
logging activity in some areas. The report also cautions against
simply banning or restricting commercial logging. These measures,
although sometimes successful, have also adversely affected local
communities and the forest sector in some countries, or
transferred the problem of over-exploitation to others. On the
positive side, the report suggests that sustainable forest
management has gained increasing support throughout the 1990s,
with 149 countries in 2000 being involved in global initiatives to
develop and implement criteria and indicators for sustainable
forest management.
Links to further information
State of the World's Forests 2001 report
http://www.fao.org/forestry/FO/SOFO/sofo-e.stm
FAO press release, 3 October 2001
http://www.fao.org/WAICENT/OIS/PRESS_NE/PRESSENG/2001/pren0161.htm
DEFORESTATION AFFECTS DISTANT RAINFORESTS, CLAIMS STUDY
The micro-climate of Costa Rican cloud forests is being affected
by forest clearing on coastal plains 65 miles away, says a recent
study in Science. This phenomenon presents a problem for efforts
to preserve the world's tropical forests through protecting small
pockets of habitats, without considering the effects of human
activities in nearby unprotected areas. Using satellite data and
computer models, scientists looked at how deforestation along the
Caribbean coast influenced weather conditions in a nearby mountain
range and found that since the 1950s when extensive land clearing
began, the moisture content of clouds over the mountains has
decreased by about 50%. These findings in Costa Rica are
consistent with patterns of localized weather changes observed in
deforested areas of the Amazon region. Scientists added that cloud
forests in Madagascar, the Andes and New Guinea are also at risk.
Links to further information
Los Angeles Times, 19 October 2001
http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-
000083422oct19.story?coll=la%2Dheadlines%2Dworld
OCEANS AND COASTS
WWF FINDS FISHING SUBSIDIES UNDER-REPORTED, URGES REFORM
Subsidies to the fishing industry add up to at least US$15 billion
annually, representing about 20 percent of the total value of the
world's commercial fish catch, says the World Wildlife Fund for
Nature (WWF). Injudicious fishing subsidies are considered to play
a major role in the depletion of global fish stocks. Governments
have officially reported annual subsidy levels of US$13 billion,
but a recent WWF study demonstrates that the actual amount is
higher, charging governments with under-reporting. The WWF report
is said to give detailed new evidence that governments routinely
violate legal obligations imposed by the WTO, which requires that
countries provide data about their subsidy programmes. "The
political question remains whether WTO members will … commit
themselves even to simple and practical steps to ensure that the
WTO develops trade rules in a manner that promotes equity and
sustainable use of the Earth's natural resources," said Aimée
Gonzales of WWF International. "Failure to do so at the
ministerial level amounts to the WTO ignoring its own charter and
further fuelling public suspicion and mistrust in the
institution."
Links to further information
WWF press release, 25 October 2001
http://panda.org/news/press/news.cfm?id=2554
POPULATION
LIFE EXPECTANCIES IN AFRICAN COUNTRIES AMONG WORLD'S LOWEST
Men and women in many African countries face an average life
expectancy of less than 50 years, according to a recent UN
publication. The Demographic Yearbook 1999, which provides
population information for more than 233 countries and areas of
the world, found that only a handful of African countries such as
Algeria, Cape Verde, and Libya, have female life expectancies
exceeding 70 years. High female life expectancy rates of at least
80 years were identified in 22 countries, led by Japan and
followed by Hong Kong, France, Switzerland and Sweden. Male life
expectancy rates were also highest in Japan and Hong Kong, with
twelve other countries having male life expectancy rates of over
75 years. The greatest disparity in life expectancy between men
and women appeared to be in the Russian Federation (13.4 years)
and the Ukraine (10.8 years), while the lowest infant mortality
rates were found in China and Hong Kong, Sweden, Switzerland and
Singapore. The 25 most populous countries reported are estimated
to contain about 75 percent of the world population.
Links to further information
UN press release, 12 October 2001
http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs/2001/dev2342.doc.htm
TRADE AND ENVIRONMENT
WTO UPHOLDS US BAN ON SHRIMP IMPORTS
The World Trade Organization (WTO) has upheld a US ban on shrimp
imports from Malaysia, turning down Malaysia's appeal in the
ongoing shrimp-turtle dispute. The US hailed this ruling as a
victory for the environment. US law bans importing shrimp caught
by vessels that do not use turtle-excluder devices, which prevent
sea turtles from being ensnared. The dispute began five years ago,
when Malaysia, India, Pakistan, and Thailand protested the US ban
to the WTO, which later found the ban to be in violation of the
organization's rules. The US responded by revising its guidelines
and making the ban more flexible to conform to WTO ruling.
Malaysia's subsequent complaint that US had failed to comply with
the rulings of the Dispute Settlement Board was rejected and
Malaysia consequently appealed.
Links to further information
Bridges Weekly Trade News Digest, 23 October 2001
http://www.ictsd.org/weekly/01-10-23/wtoinbrief.htm
Reuters news release, 24 October 2001
http://enn.com/news/wire-stories/2001/10/10242001/reu_45359.asp
COMINGS AND GOINGS
Information on key appointments, departures and vacancies at
United Nations agencies, international organizations, government
departments and non-governmental organizations active in the field
of international environment and development negotiations
APPOINTMENTS
UN WORLD FOOD PROGRAMME APPOINTS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Former US Senator George McGovern has been appointed as the World
Food Programme's first Global Ambassador on Hunger. McGovern will
act as the worldwide advocate on hunger issues, promoting hunger
and poverty eradication programmes that target poor children and
mothers. For more information visit:
http://www.wfp.org/newsroom/press_releases/2001/1019_a.htm
UN FORUM ON FOREST APPOINTS CHAIR
Knut Øistad of Norway, an active participant of intergovernmental
deliberations on forests over the past decade, has been chosen as
the Chair of the UN Forum on Forests (UNFF). During the first
session of UNFF, Øistad chaired the working group on the multi-
year programme of work. For more information visit:
http://www.un.org/esa/sustdev/unffdocs/UNFFnewsletter10-01.pdf
VACANCIES
IUCN ADVERTISES TWO OFFICER POSITIONS
The World Conservation Union (IUCN) is seeking a World Parks
Congress Officer for its Programme on Protected Areas. The
position is based at IUCN Headquarters in Gland, Switzerland and
the deadline for application is 16 November 2001. More information
is available online at:
http://www.iucn.org/vacancies/wpcofficer.doc IUCN is also looking
for a Project Officer for its Wetland and Water Resources
Programme. The position is based in Gland, Switzerland and the
application is due on 9 December 2001. More information is
available online at: http://www.iucn.org/vacancies/index.html
WORLD BANK VACANCIES IN EDUCATION SECTOR
The Education Sector of the World Bank is seeking to recruit
several education specialists, education economists and human
development economists to help develop its education programmes.
The positions will be based initially in Washington, DC and the
applications are due 16 November 2001. More information is
available online at:
http://wbln0018.worldbank.org/HRS/hrs_www.nsf/key/careers
CIEL SEEKS SENIOR ATTORNEY
The Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL) is seeking a
Senior Attorney to work as part of its Trade & Sustainable
Development Programme in its Geneva-based European Office. More
information is available online at:
http://www.ciel.org/Join/attorney_geneva.html
UNDP ADVERTISES ENVIRONMENTAL POSTS
The UN Development Programme (UNDP) is looking to hire a Leader
for its Energy and Environment Practice Area. The position is
based in New York. More information is available online at:
http://roo.undp.org/jobs/view_job.cfm?job_id=55
UNDP is also searching for an Environmental Law and Institutions
Specialist in the area of Energy and Environment. This post is
based in Kathmandu. More information is available online at:
http://roo.undp.org/jobs/view_job.cfm?job_id=5
POSITIONS AVAILABLE AT FAO
The UN Food and Agriculture Organization has a variety of
professional positions available, mostly designated as P-3, P-4
and P-5 level UN positions. Many of these positions are based in
Rome. More information is available online at:
http://www.fao.org/VA/Employ.htm
READINGS
New and recent book titles, articles and other literature on
environment and development
JOURNALS
/Sustainable Development
"The ecological traces of growth: economic growth, liberalization,
increased consumption and sustainable urban development?" Journal
of Environment Policy and Planning (3, 2001), pp. 177-192. Co-
authors Karl G. Hoyer and Petter Naess highlight the difficulties
faced in ensuring ongoing economic growth with sustainable
development in industrialized countries, by examining how building
stock and physical infrastructure in these countries have
developed. The authors show the limits of eco-efficiency and argue
that making the transition to less environmentally harmful types
of consumption will not be sufficient if consumption volume
continues to increase.
"Political underdevelopment: what causes bad governance?"
Public Management Review (3, 2001), pp. 385-418. Mick Moore
examines how the states of the South, although diverse, tend to be
underdeveloped in the political sense: neither authoritative and
effective, nor legitimate and accountable to citizens. Moore shows
how the conventional response by aid donors of institutional
transfer may not be the best approach, as the political
underdevelopment of much of the South results largely from the
ways in which developing countries have been created, and
political authority shaped through economic and political
interactions with the wealthier countries of the North. Moore
suggests that more attention be paid to the ways in which
developed countries currently help sustain political
underdevelopment in the South, especially by perpetuating the
conditions under which state elites in the South remain too
independent of their fellow citizens.
/Biodiversity
"Harnessing biotechnology for the poor: challenges ahead for
capacity, safety and public investment." Journal of Human
Development (2, 2001), pp. 239-263. Joel Cohen considers whether
existing efforts to ensure that benefits from biotechnology reach
those in need, and if not, what additional steps are required to
ensure that they do. Cohen explores these concerns by first
assessing the relevance of biotechnology for agricultural research
in developing countries. He summarizes recent development reports,
ISNAR research, and examples of international collaboration. He
explains biosafety, the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety and
related expectations for capacity building, risk assessment, and
the precautionary approach. Cohen also reviews regulatory systems
and public investments for biotechnology research in six
developing countries, and concludes with policy recommendations
regarding capacity, safety and investments that enhance public
research and regulatory abilities.
/Climate Change
BioScience, Volume 51 (9, 2001) presents a series of papers
developed by the forest sector of the US National Assessment of
the Potential Consequences of Climate Variability and Change. In
examining how forests may be affected by climate change, the
Forest Sector Committee divided the topic into four areas:
processes; diversity; disturbances; and socioeconomics, each of
which is the focus of an article in the series. In "Climate change
and forest disturbances," Virginia H. Dale et al focus on direct
terrestrial impacts of climate change. John Aber et al review the
state of predicting forest ecosystem responses to changes in the
physical and chemical climate in "Forest processes and global
environmental change: predicting the effects of individual and
multiple stressors." In "Assessing socioeconomic impacts of
climate change on US forests, wood-product markets, and forest
recreation," Lloyd C. Irland et al discuss the problems of
projecting social and economic changes affecting forests and
review recent efforts to assess the wood-market impacts of
possible climate changes. Andrew J. Hansen et al provide a primer
on how forest biodiversity acts as a key component of global
change in their paper "Global change in forests: responses of
species, communities, and biomes." The authors first synthesize
current knowledge of interactions among climate, land use, and
biodiversity, and then summarize the results of new analyses on
the potential effects of climate change on forest biodiversity.
"An international registration and tracking system for greenhouse
gas emissions trading: elements, possibilities, problems and
issues for further discussion." Journal of Environmental Policy
and Planning (3, 2001), pp. 233-244. Axel Michaelowa and Tobias
Koch illustrate how international emissions trading under the
Kyoto Protocol or any alternative international regime needs a
registration system to prevent the creation of false emission
permits. The authors suggest a two-tier system consisting of an
International Registry (IR) that maintains accounts for countries
and private entities, and a set of national registries that adhere
to a set of minimum standards. The authors propose that permits
become fungible across all Kyoto Mechanisms, and are allocated a
serial number to enable tracking. Other recommendations include
how the IR should collect fees for adaptation and administration,
and be charged with reallocation of emission budgets owing to
various causes, enforcement of eventual caps, and discounting of
permits owing to non-compliance. The authors conclude by
discussing the registration process and proposing a timetable for
the set-up of the registries.
"Do countries fail to raise environmental standards? An evaluation
of policy options addressing 'regulatory chill'." International
Journal of Sustainable Development 4 (3, 2001), pp. 231-244. In
this article, Eric Neumayer argues that there is substantial
anecdotal evidence pointing to the fact that "regulatory chill" is
relevant to the issue of global warming. Several policy options
are evaluated to deal with this problem according to a specified
set of criteria.
"The seven myths of Kyoto." Climate Policy 1 (2, 2001), pp. 269-
272. Michael Grubb and Joanna Depledge identify seven myths about
the Kyoto Protocol. They argue for a fuller understanding of the
realities of the Protocol, suggesting that it should and could
remain the basis for ongoing global negotiations and action on
climate change.
/Oceans and Coasts
"Fisheries management in a sea of uncertainty: the role and
responsibility of scientists in attaining a precautionary
approach." International Journal of Sustainable Development 4 (3,
2001), pp. 245-264. Lene Buhl-Mortensen and Reidar Toresen
illustrate how fisheries scientists will have to adapt to the new
requirements represented by the precautionary principle. In their
paper, the authors stress that the existing model of decision-
making needs to be modified to help fisheries managers and
stakeholders understand the uncertainties involved in the
scientific advice.
/Trade and Environment
"Intellectual property rights and economic development: historical
lessons and emerging issues." Journal of Human Development 2 (2,
2001), pp. 287-309. Ha-Joon Chang re-examines the role of
intellectual property rights (IPR) in economic development and
proposes a reform of the TRIPS agreement. Chang tackles the issue
from a historical perspective, as well as from the point of view
of contemporary developing countries. He discusses the role that
IPR played in the development of the now-developed countries when
they were industrializing, and identifies some implications for
developing countries and for the global economy. He also describes
the role of IPR in economic development in the contemporary
context, with a focus on the patent system.
NEW PUBLICATIONS
State of the Environment 2001 Reports for Bangladesh, Bhutan,
India, and Sri Lanka (UNEP 2001). These four national reports
identify priority environmental issues for each country. For
Bangladesh, the report addresses land degradation, water pollution
and scarcity, air pollution, biodiversity loss and the threat of
natural disasters. The Bhutan report looks at the environmental
effects of rural-urban migration, land degradation, air pollution,
pressure on and pollution of water resources and solid waste
management. In the India report, land degradation, biodiversity
loss, air pollution, freshwater resource management and hazardous
waste management are considered, while the Sri Lanka report
focuses on issues related to land degradation by soil erosion,
waste disposal, pollution of inland waters, biodiversity loss and
depletion of coastal resources. The reports can be downloaded at:
http://www.rrcap.unep.org/
Consumption Opportunities (UNEP 2001). This new UNEP report
explains what sustainable consumption means in practical terms by
separating the concept into the four strategic elements: efficient
consumption; different consumption; conscious consumption; and
appropriate consumption. The report aims to raise awareness and
catalyze action on this issue, which will be a critical part of
the agenda for the WSSD in 2002. For a copy e-mail: jm@unep.ch
Illegal Trade in Ozone Depleting Substances: Is There a Hole in
the Montreal Protocol? (UNEP 2001). This new publication aims to
raise awareness about illegal trade in ozone-depleting substances
(ODS), as well as stimulate action to combat trafficking.
Government, academic and NGO experts from developed and developing
nations explore the complexities of illegal trade in ODS and offer
recommendations for ending this problem. The publication is
available online at
http://www.uneptie.org/ozonaction/library/oan/main.html
Poles Apart: Global Environmental Negotiations-2 (CSE 2001). The
Global Environmental Negotiations reports by the Centre for
Science and Environment (CSE) are an effort to document ongoing
global environmental policy-making from the Southern perspective.
Poles Apart updates the issues discussed in the first report and
in addition, studies another four conventions and one institution:
the Vienna Convention and Montreal Protocol; the Basel Convention;
the Rotterdam Convention; the Århus Convention; and the Commission
on Sustainable Development. This publication further analyzes
recurring controversial issues between rich and poor nations in
global environmental policy-making in light of the upcoming World
Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD). For more information
visit: http://www.cseindia.org/html/eyou/eyou41.htm
International Emissions Trading - From Concept to Reality (IEA
2001). This book offers a review of international emissions
trading, from the ideal system envisaged in economic models to a
more realistic view of how trading can actually work. It is based
on market experiments and modeling undertaken by the International
Energy Agency and other institutions, and takes a look at
implications for the power-generation sector, considering how
developing countries could be included in a future trading regime.
It also includes assessments of the "commitment period reserve"
agreed at COP-6 Part II and of the CO2 market without the United
States. More information is available online at:
http://www.iea.org/public/studies/trading.htm
International Relations and Global Climate Change (MIT 2001). Co-
edited by Urs Luterbacher and Detlef Sprinz, this book surveys
current conceptual, theoretical, and methodological approaches to
global climate change and international relations. It also focuses
on questions of equity and the legal difficulties of implementing
the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change and its Kyoto
Protocol. The book concludes with a discussion of global climate
change and other aspects of international relations, including
other global environmental accords and world trade. More
information is available online at: http://www.sprinz.org
Unnatural Disasters (Worldwatch Paper 158, 2001). In this paper,
Janet Abramovitz presents detailed recommendations for changing
the way we manage disasters and ourselves. She suggests that
people and structures should be located out of harms way, avoiding
construction on river floodplains, and where hazards are
unavoidable, buildings should be made to withstand them. She
further recommends how healthy ecosystems should be maintained or
restored to provide natural disaster protection. This publication
can be ordered from:
http://secure.worldwatch.org/cgi-bin/wwinst/WWP0158
An Assessment of the Potential Impact of the TINA Network on
Important Bird Areas (IBAs) in EU Accession Countries (BirdLife
International, 2001). This study documents the potential impact of
European transport infrastructure development in countries that
are preparing to join the EU. The study shows that a high
percentage of IBAs, which are high priority biodiversity areas,
are located close to new or upgraded roads, railways and waterways
identified in the Transport Infrastructure Needs Assessment (TINA)
report of 1999. For a free copy of the assessment, e-mail Zoltan
Waliczky at: waliczky@rspb.org.uk
Global Environmental Risk (Earthscan 2001). Edited by Jeanne and
Roger Kasperson, with contributions from experts on environmental
change and risk, this volume gives a comprehensive examination of
the threats to human beings and an assessment of what we value,
seeking new pathways for reversing unsustainable trends,
curtailing ongoing destructive activities, and creating a life-
sustaining planet. For more information visit:
http://www.earthscan.co.uk/asp/bookdetails.asp?key=3454
Greening Trade and Investment Environmental Protection Without
Protectionism (Earthscan 2001). Eric Neumayer analyses the
interactions between investment, trade and the environment,
offering solutions that do not continue to damage the environment
or threaten developing countries. For more information visit:
http://www.earthscan.co.uk/asp/bookdetails.asp?key=3416
Handbook for the Field Assessment of Land Degradation (Earthscan
2001). Authors Michael Stocking and Niamh Murnagham focus on
understanding how farmers interact with the land, and how
environmental protection, food security and the well-being of
rural land users may be assured. They present simple, non-
technical indicators for assessing land degradation in the field,
and explain the interpretation of results and how combinations of
different indicators can give conclusive evidence of the severity
of land degradation. For more information visit:
http://www.earthscan.co.uk/asp/bookdetails.asp?key=3490
WHAT'S NEW ONLINE
/Climate Change
The Greenhouse Gas Protocol: A Corporate and Accounting Standard.
The World Resources Institute and the World Business Council for
Sustainable Development have released an international standard
that will enable businesses to uniformly report their GHG
emissions. The objective of this initiative is to develop
internationally accepted accounting and reporting standards for
GHG emissions and promote their use in companies and other
organizations. The GHG Protocol is available at:
http://www.ghgprotocol.org
Confronting Climate Change in the Gulf Coast Region: Prospects for
Sustaining Our Ecological Heritage. The Union of Concerned
Scientists and the Ecological Society of America have recently
released this report, which provides residents and policymakers in
the Gulf Coast region with a scientific assessment of the likely
impacts of climate change on the region's natural and managed
ecosystems and the goods and services they provide. The authors
also offer three key approaches to meet the challenges of climate
change. The report is available at:
http://www.ucsusa.org/environment/gulf.html
The Center for International Climate and Environmental Research
(CICERO) has posted a new report from CICERO on climate change
negotiations. An analysis of the Bonn agreement: Background
information for evaluating business implications by Asbjørn
Torvanger presents and analyzes the newest developments in the
climate negotiations, particularly from Part II of the Sixth
Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on
Climate Change, and evaluates what the 'Bonn Agreements' mean for
business. To access the paper visit:
http://www.cicero.uio.no/publications/detail.asp?publication_id=14
58&lan
UPCOMING MEETINGS
Information on upcoming conferences, workshops and symposia in the
field of international environment and development negotiations
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
SECOND WORLD CONFERENCE ON TECHNOLOGY ADVANCES FOR SUSTAINABLE
DEVELOPMENT: This conference is scheduled to take place from 5-8
November 2001 in Cairo, Egypt. It constitutes part of a wider
event combining both the Second International Conference on
Renewable Energy and Environment Protection Technologies, and the
Fifth International Conference on Solar Electricity:
Photovoltaics, Wind, and Solar Thermal Technologies. It aims to
provide an interactive forum for manufacturers, technology users,
interested technologists, policy makers, and other government
officials with the objective of evaluating technical and economic
feasibilities, policy reform and regulatory issues, financing and
market strategies related to management and development of the key
resources needed for sustainable development. For more information
visit: http://www.aast.edu/mceet/
NINTH INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON THE CONSERVATION AND MANAGEMENT
OF LAKES: This conference will be held from 11-16 November 2001 in
Shiga, Japan. It is being co-organized by the Shiga Prefecture and
the International Lake Environment Committee and the theme of the
conference is "Partnerships for Sustainable Life in Lake
Environments: Making Global Freshwater Mandates Work." For more
information contact: Organizing Committee of the Conference; tel:
+81-77-528-3466; fax: +81-77-528-4849; e-mail:
info@biwako2001.com; Internet: http://www.biwako2001.com
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON CRISES AND DISASTERS: This conference
will be held from 13-14 November 2001 in Washington, DC, USA.
Organized by the International Food Policy Research Institute and
the Inter-American Development Bank the conference will look at
measuring and mitigating the costs of disasters on humans. For
more information visit:
http://www.iadb.org/sds/pov/publication/gen_21_2534_e.htm
FORUM ON MANAGING THE ENVIRONMENT FOR PEACE - NEW CHALLENGES AND
OPPORTUNITIES FOR BUSINESS: This forum will take place from 14-16
November 2001 in Loccum, Germany. Participants will investigate
the linkages between private sector activity, environmental
insecurity and conflict. The meeting will aim to lay the
foundation for initiatives designed to encourage private
enterprises to implement environmental security concepts into
investment decisions and risk management strategies. For more
information contact: Andreas Dally; e-mail: Andreas.Dally@evlka.de
CONFERENCE ON SUSTAINABLE FISHERIES FOR FOOD SECURITY IN THE NEW
MILLENNIUM: This conference will take place from 21-24 November
2001 in Bangkok, Thailand. Established in response to calls for a
re-evaluation of current fisheries practices in Southeast Asia,
this conference will seek to formulate resolutions to develop a
common vision and purpose for fisheries management in the region.
A Millennium Fisheries Exhibition aimed at the commercial fishing
and aquaculture industry will also take place. For more
information contact: Conference Secretariat; tel: +66-2-940-6326;
fax: +66-2940-6336; e-mail: conference@seafdec.org; Internet:
http://www.baird.com.au
MEETING OF THE EXECUTIVE BODY FOR THE CONVENTION ON LONG-RANGE
TRANSBOUNDARY AIR POLLUTION: This meeting will take place from 26-
30 November 2001 in Geneva. For more information contact: Yves
Berthelot; tel: +41-22-917-2670; e-mail: yves.berthelot@unece.org
MEETINGS OF THE OPEN-ENDED INTERGOVERNMENTAL GROUP OF MINISTERS OR
THEIR REPRESENTATIVES ON INTERNATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL GOVERNANCE:
The fourth and fifth IEG meetings will be held on 1 December 2001
in Montreal and at the end of January 2002 in New York prior to
the second Preparatory Committee for the World Summit on
Sustainable Development. The next special session of the UNEP
Governing Council/Global Ministerial Environment Forum will take
place 13-15 February 2002 in Cartagena, Colombia. For more
information contact: Masa Nagai; tel: +254-2-623493; e-mail:
Masa.Nagai@unep.org; Internet: http://www.unep.org/IEG/
WORLD RESOURCES INSTITUTE FIFTH ANNUAL SUSTAINABLE ENTERPRISE
SUMMIT: This World Resources Institute Summit will take place from
5-6 December 2001 in Washington DC, USA. Entitled "Sustainability
as the Next Business Driver," this event will highlight product
and process innovations that deliver environmental and social
performance, and create financial growth and competitive
advantage. For more information visit:
http://www.wri.org/meb/wrisummit/summit01.html
2001 BERLIN CONFERENCE ON THE HUMAN DIMENSIONS OF GLOBAL
ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGE: This conference will be held from 7-8
December 2001 in Berlin, Germany. Entitled ''Global Environmental
Change and the Nation State,'' the conference will examine the
interlinkages between global and national environmental politics,
and look at new forms of global environmental governance that link
global institutions with a significant degree of national
decision-making. For more information visit:
http://www.environmental-policy.de
UN OFFICIAL LAUNCH OF THE INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF MOUNTAINS 2002:
This launch will be held on 11 December 2001 in New York City,
USA. Included are a week-long series of events, a panel discussion
with prominent mountain experts and a variety of cultural
activities. For more information visit: http://www.mountain.org/
SECOND MILLENNIUM ECOSYSTEM ASSESSMENT (MA) BOARD MEETING: This
meeting will take place from 14-16 January 2002 in Kuala Lumpur,
Malaysia. For more information contact: Valerie Thompson, Interim
MA Secretariat; tel: +1-202-729-7794; e-mail:
info@millenniumassessment.org; Internet:
http://www.millenniumassessment.org
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON TOURISM DEVELOPMENT, COMMUNITY AND
CONSERVATION: This conference will take place from 28 February - 2
March 2002 in Lucknow, India. It will look at shaping ecotourism
for the third millennium. For more information contact: e-mail:
tvsingh@sancharnet.in or tejvirsingh@hotmail.com
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON FLOOD ESTIMATION: This meeting will be
held from 6-8 March 2002 in Bern, Switzerland. The conference is
aimed at presenting and discussing the latest developments within
the field of flood estimation for micro- and meso-scale
catchments. For more information contact: tel: +41-31-324-2748;
e-mail: floodestimation@bwg.admin.ch; Internet:
http://hydrant.unibe.ch/veranstaltungen/flood/flood01.htm
BIOTECHNOLOGY AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT - VOICES OF THE SOUTH
AND NORTH: This international conference is scheduled to take
place from 16-20 March 2002 in Alexandria, Egypt. It is co-
sponsored by the Government of Egypt, FAO, UNESCO, World Bank and
OECD, among other institutions. For more information visit:
http://www.egyptbiotech2001.com/
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON FINANCING FOR DEVELOPMENT: The UN
International Conference on Financing for Development will be held
from 18-22 March 2002 in Monterrey, Mexico. It will bring together
high-level representatives from governments, the UN, and other
leading international trade, finance and development-related
organizations. For more information contact: Financing for
Development Coordinating Secretariat, UN Headquarters, New York,
Harris Gleckman, tel: +1-212-963-4690; e-mail: gleckman@un.org or
Federica Pietracci, tel: +1-212-963-8497; e-mail:
pietracci@un.org; Internet: http://www.un.org/esa/ffd
FOURTH INTERNATIONAL FRIEND CONFERENCE - BRIDGING THE GAP BETWEEN
RESEARCH AND PRACTICE: This UNESCO FRIEND (Flow Regimes from
International Experimental and Network Data) conference will be
held from 18-22 March 2002 in Cape Town, South Africa. The
objective of this event is to present the results of the FRIEND
programme, which has stimulated international cooperation in the
field of hydrology. The conference will focus on bridging the gap
between knowledge, research and practical applications. For more
information visit:
http://www.ru.ac.za/institutes/iwr/friend/index.html
WORLD WATER CONGRESS 2002: This congress will take place from 7-12
April 2002 in Melbourne, Australia. It is being organized by the
International Water Association, and will focus on issues such as
water cycle management, particularly in South-East Asia. For more
information contact: Secretariat, Quitz Event Management; tel:
+61-0-2-9410-1302; fax: +61-0-2-9410-0036; e-mail:
quitz@bigpond.net.au; Internet: http://www.enviroaust.net/
HIGH SUMMIT 2002 - INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE AROUND THE CONTINENTS'
HIGHEST MOUNTAINS: This global event will take place from 6-8 May
2002 in Turin, Italy. It consists of a simultaneous video
conference broadcast from places near some of the world's highest
peaks. Experts, policy makers and stakeholders from the
mountainous areas of the different continents will meet from
different sites to discuss the most significant topics regarding
today's mountain realities: water, culture, economy, risk, and
politics. For more information contact: e-mail:
evk2cnr.2002@montagna.org; Internet: http://www.montagna.org/
INTERNATIONAL CHILDREN'S CONFERENCE ON THE ENVIRONMENT: The fourth
UNEP International Children's Conference on the Environment will
take place in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada from 22-24 May
2002. The conference is expected to bring together 800 children
from 10 to 12 years of age from over 115 countries, who will learn
about and discuss the state of the environment and showcase
environmental initiatives by schools. The conference will also
produce a statement from children to the world leaders who will
meet for the World Summit on Sustainable Development. The town of
Ledyard, Connecticut, USA, is expected to host the event in 2003.
For more information contact: Theodore Oben, Programme Officer,
Children, Youth and Sport Programmes, UNEP, Nairobi; tel: +254-2-
623262; e-mail: theodore.oben@unep.org; Internet:
http://www.unep.org/children_youth/
INTERNATIONAL MEETING ON MOUNTAIN ECOSYSTEMS: This meeting will be
held from 5-7 June 2002 in Huaraz, Peru. It is entitled The
Tropical Mountains toward 2020: Water, Life, and Production. For
more information contact: Maria Cecilia Rozas; e-mail:
mrozas@rree.gob.pe; Internet:
http://www.mtnforum.org/calendar/events/0206imma.htm
XIII WORLD CONGRESS OF THE INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC HISTORY
ASSOCIATION - SESSION ON MOUNTAINS IN URBAN DEVELOPMENT: This
meeting will take place from 22-26 July 2002 in Buenos Aires,
Argentina. The session will look at the relationship between
mountains and urban development and focus on urban growth and
political power structures, and the role of towns in interregional
exchange systems. For more information contact: Jean-François
Bergier; tel: +41-91-912-4705; e-mail: admin@isalp.unisi.ch;
Internet: http://www.isalp.unisi.ch/gen/mountains_urban.htm
THIRD INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON WATER RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENT
RESEARCH: This meeting will take place from 22-26 July 2002 in
Dresden, Germany, and will be the third international conference
in the series on water resources and environment research. The aim
of the conference is to encourage and facilitate interdisciplinary
communication amongst scientists, engineers and professionals
working in the fields of ecological systems, sustainable
management, development of water resources, and conservation of
natural systems. For more information contact: Cathleen Schimmek
or Gisela Schöler, Conference Secretariat; tel: +49-351-463-3931;
fax: +49-351-463-7162; e-mail: icwrer2002@mailbox.tu-dresden.de;
Internet: http://www.tu-dresden.de/fghhihm/normal/frame.htm
FOURTH INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM ON ARTIFICIAL RECHARGE - MANAGEMENT
OF AQUIFER RECHARGE FOR SUSTAINABILITY: This symposium will be
held from 22-26 September 2002 in Adelaide, Australia. For more
information contact: Hartley Management Group; e-mail:
isar4@hartleymgt.com.au; Internet:
http://www.hartleymgt.com.au/isar4/
THIRD WORLD WATER FORUM: This meeting will take place from 16-23
March 2003 in Kyoto, Japan. A Ministerial Conference will be held
during the Forum, where Ministers will work towards framing and
adopting a political declaration concerning global water problems.
For more information contact: Secretariat, Tokyo; tel: +81-3-5549-
1488; e-mail: office@water-forum3.com; Internet:
http://www.water-forum3.com/
19TH INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS ON IRRIGATION AND DRAINAGE: This ICID
congress will be held in Beijing, China from 10-18 September 2005.
For more information contact: Chinese National Committee on
Irrigation and Drainage, No. 20 West Chegongzhuang Road, Beijing
100044, China; tel: +86-10-6841-5522/6841-6506; fax: +86-10-6845-
1169; e-mail: cncid@iwhr.com
PREPARATIONS FOR THE JOHANNESBURG SUMMIT 2002
MEETINGS OF THE CSD-10 BUREAU: The Fifth Meeting of the Bureau
will be held in conjunction with the 56th UNGASS on 1 November
2001, while the Sixth Meeting of the Bureau is scheduled for 27
January 2002 in New York. For more information contact: Andrey
Vasilyev, DESA; tel: +1-212-963-5949; fax: +1-212-963-4260; e-
mail: vasilyev@un.org
INTERNATIONAL FORUM ON NATIONAL SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
STRATEGIES: This forum is being held from 7-9 November 2001 in
Accra, Ghana. Organized in collaboration with the Government of
Ghana, DFID/UK, the Danish Government and UNDP/Capacity 21, the
meeting is part of the ongoing preparatory process leading up to
the WSSD. For more information contact: e-mail: rohrmannk@un.org;
Internet:
http://www.johannesburgsummit.org/web_pages/ghana_experts_meeting.
htm
WASTE SUMMIT - WOMEN ASSESSING THE STATE OF THE ENVIRONMENT: This
Summit will take place from 9-10 November 2001 in Pittsburgh,
Pennsylvania, USA. Summit participants will produce a U.S. women's
environmental action agenda, which includes a status report on
U.S. progress since the Earth Summit 1992 and a set of policy
recommendations for action. For more information visit:
http://www.wastesummit.org/
CONFERENCE ON EQUITY FOR A SMALL PLANET: This conference will be
held from 12-13 November 2001 in London, UK. It will focus on the
dynamics and tensions between globalization and local livelihoods,
and provide a platform for Southern experiences to inform the
agenda for the 2002 World Summit on Sustainable Development. The
meeting also marks the 30th anniversary of the International
Institute for Environment and Development (IIED), which is
convening the event. For more information contact: IIED Conference
Organizer; tel: +44-20-7388-2117; e-mail: wssd@iied.org; Internet:
http://www.iied.org/wssd/meetings.html
INTERNATIONAL SCIENTIFIC PRACTICAL FORUM FOR YOUNG SCIENTISTS:
This forum will take place from 15-16 November 2001 in Moscow.
Young scientists will share opinions on issues of environment and
sustainable development. A Declaration on "Education and Healthy
Life-Style in the XXI Century" is expected. For more information
contact: tel: +334-1929-1831/1841; e-mail: forum@vernadsky.ru
ASIA AND PACIFIC REGIONAL PREPARATORY MEETING: The Asia and
Pacific meeting will take place in Phnom Penh, Cambodia from 27-29
November 2001. For more information contact: Hiroko Morita-Lou,
UN-DESA, New York; tel: +1-212-963-8813; fax: +1-212-963-4260;
e-mail: morita-lou@un.org; Internet:
http://www.johannesburgsummit.org/
2001 ASIA-PACIFIC EARTH CHARTER CONFERENCE: This conference is
scheduled for 29 November - 2 December 2001 in Brisbane,
Australia. It will seek to promote awareness, acceptance, and
adoption of the Earth Charter for the Asia-Pacific Region and
contribute to the region's preparations for the WSSD, which is
scheduled to take place in Johannesburg in 2002. For more
information contact: Clem Campbell; tel: +61-7-5429-5401; e-mail:
clemcampbell@optusnet.com.au; Internet:
http://www.gu.edu.au/centre/kceljag/eljag/04_events/nov2001earthch
arter/earth_charter.htm
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON FRESHWATER: This conference, hosted by
the German Federal Environment Ministry and the German Federal
Ministry for Development Cooperation, will be held from 3-7
December 2001 in Bonn, Germany. It will serve as preparation for
the WSSD, and will review Chapter 18 of Agenda 21 focusing on
freshwater issues. For more information contact: Angelika Wilcke,
Conference Secretariat; tel: +49-228-28046-57; e-mail:
info@water-2001.de; Internet: http://www.water-2001.de
GLOBAL CONFERENCE ON OCEANS AND COASTS AT RIO+10: ASSESSING
PROGRESS, ADDRESSING CONTINUING AND NEW CHALLENGES: This
conference will be held from 3-7 December 2001 in Paris, France.
It is intended to provide an overall assessment of progress
achieved on oceans and coasts since the Earth Summit and to
provide input to the discussions by governments at the WSSD in
Johannesburg next September. For more information contact:
Catherine Johnston; tel: +1-302-831-8086; e-mail:
johnston@udel.edu; Internet: http://www.udel.edu/CMS/csmp/rio+10/
SOUTHERN NGO SUMMIT: This summit will take place in January 2002
in preparation for the WSSD; the exact date is yet to be
determined. For more information contact: Esmeralda Brown,
Southern Caucus Chairperson, New York; tel: +1-212-682-3633; fax:
+1-212-682-5354; e-mail: ebrown@gbgm-umc.org
SECOND PREPARATORY SESSION FOR THE 2002 WORLD SUMMIT ON
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT: This meeting will take place from 28
January - 8 February 2002 at the UN HQ in New York. It will review
the results of national and regional preparatory processes,
examine the main policy report of the Secretary-General, and
convene a Multi-stakeholder Dialogue. For more information
contact: Andrey Vasilyev, DESA; tel: +1-212-963-5949; fax: +1-212-
963-4260; e-mail: vasilyev@un.org; Major groups contact: Zehra
Aydin-Sipos, DESA; tel: +1-212-963-8811; fax: +1-212-963-1267;
e-mail: aydin@un.org; Internet: http://www.johannesburgsummit.org/
DELHI SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT SUMMIT 2002: This meeting will be
held from 9-11 February 2002 in New Delhi, India. The theme will
be "Ensuring sustainable livelihoods: challenges for governments,
corporates, and civil society at Rio+10." For more information
visit: http://www.teriin.org/dsds/index.htm
LOCAL GOVERNMENT INTERNATIONAL PREPCOM MEETING: This meeting will
take place from 20-22 February 2002 in North Vancouver, Canada.
For more information contact: Elena Lonero; e-mail:
elonero@iclei.org; Internet: http://www.iclei.org/rioplusten/
SUSTAINING OUR COMMUNITIES - INTERNATIONAL LOCAL AGENDA 21
CONFERENCE: This conference will take place from 3-6 March 2002 in
Adelaide, Australia. This conference will provide a forum to
discuss approaches to sustainable development and advise
Australia's input to the Johannesburg Summit 2002. For more
information visit: http://www.adelaide.sa.gov.au/soc/
UNEP GLOBAL YOUTH FORUM 2002: This event will be held from 22-31
March 2002 in Copenhagen, Denmark. Organized by UNEP and hosted by
Danish organization - Nature and Youth (Natur og Ungdom), this
forum will be a youth event leading up to the WSSD. It will build
on the Youth Conference on Environment and Sustainable Development
held in Borgholm, Sweden from 23-27 May 2001. For more information
contact: e-mail:
theodore.oben@unep.org or landskontoret@natur-og-ungdom.dk
THIRD PREPARATORY SESSION FOR THE 2002 WORLD SUMMIT ON SUSTAINABLE
DEVELOPMENT: This meeting will take place at UN HQ in New York
from 25 March - 5 April 2002. It will aim to produce the first
draft of a "review" document and elements of the CSD's future work
programme. For more information contact: Andrey Vasilyev, DESA;
tel: +1-212-963-5949; fax: +1-212-963-4260; e-mail:
vasilyev@un.org; Major groups contact: Zehra Aydin-Sipos, DESA;
tel: +1-212-963-8811; fax: +1-212-963-1267; e-mail: aydin@un.org;
Internet: http://www.johannesburgsummit.org/
FOURTH PREPARATORY SESSION FOR THE 2002 WORLD SUMMIT ON
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT: This meeting will take place from 27 May
- 7 June 2002 in Indonesia. It will include Ministerial and Multi-
stakeholder Dialogue Segments, and is expected to result in
elements for a concise political document to be submitted to the
2002 Summit. For more information contact: Andrey Vasilyev, DESA,
New York; tel: +1-212-963-5949; e-mail: vasilyev@un.org; Major
groups contact: Zehra Aydin-Sipos, DESA; tel: +1-212-963-8811;
e-mail: aydin@un.org; Internet: http://www.johannesburgsummit.org/
WORLD SUMMIT ON SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT: The World Summit on
Sustainable Development will take place in Johannesburg, South
Africa, from 2-11 September 2002. For more information contact:
Andrey Vasilyev, DESA, New York; tel: +1-212-963-5949; e-mail:
vasilyev@un.org; Major groups contact: Zehra Aydin-Sipos, DESA;
tel: +1-212-963-8811; e-mail: aydin@un.org; Internet:
http://www.johannesburgsummit.org/
BIODIVERSITY
CGIAR ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 2001: The Consultative Group on
International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) will convene its
Annual General Meeting from 30 October - 2 November 2001 in
Washington, D.C. For more information visit:
http://www.worldbank.org/html/cgiar/publications/agm2001/agm2001.h
tml
THIRD MEETING OF THE CBD-UNESCO CONSULTATIVE WORKING GROUP OF
EXPERTS ON BIODIVERSITY EDUCATION AND PUBLIC AWARENESS: This
meeting will take place from 5-7 November 2001 in Bilbao, Spain. A
Consultative Working Group of Experts on Biological Diversity
Education and Public Awareness, jointly established by UNESCO and
the Secretariat of the Convention, is developing an operational
framework and a specific strategy for the implementation of the
Global Initiative on Biodiversity Education and Public Awareness.
For more information visit:
http://www.biodiv.org/outreach/awareness/epa-03.asp
WORKSHOP ON RISK MONITORING AND PUBLIC PERCEPTION OF
BIOTECHNOLOGY: This workshop will be held from 12-16 November 2001
in Caracas, Venezuela. It will focus on biosafety and risk
assessment, risk monitoring of GMOs, and public perceptions. For
more information contact: Efrain Salazar Yamarte; tel: +58-43-
471066; e-mail: efra63@hotmail.com; Internet:
http://www.icgeb.trieste.it/TRAINING/CRS01/crsps01.htm
SEVENTH MEETING OF THE CBD'S SUBSIDIARY BODY FOR SCIENTIFIC,
TECHNICAL AND TECHNOLOGICAL ADVICE: CBD SBSTTA-7 will meet from
12-16 November 2001 in Montreal, Canada. For more information
contact: CBD Secretariat, Montreal, Canada: tel: +1-514-288-2220;
fax: +1-514-288-6588; e-mail: secretariat@biodiv.org; Internet:
http://www.biodiv.org
WORKSHOP ON PREDICTING BIODIVERSITY IN EUROPEAN LANDSCAPES -
MAPPING, PATTERNS, INDICATORS AND MONITORING: This workshop will
take place from 18-20 November 2001 in Vienna, Austria.
Participants will examine the availability and applications of
biodiversity predictors and consider their consequences for
European environmental policy. For more information contact:
Simone Matouch; tel: +43-1-5862-87721; e-mail:
arge.matouch@eunet.at; Internet:
http://dos1.pph.univie.ac.at/biodiv/index.html
OPEN-ENDED INTERSESSIONAL MEETING ON THE STRATEGIC PLAN, NATIONAL
REPORTS AND THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE CONVENTION ON BIOLOGICAL
DIVERSITY: This meeting will take place 19-21 November 2001 in
Montreal, Canada. For more information contact: CBD Secretariat;
tel: +1-514-288-2220; fax: +1-514-288-6588; e-mail:
secretariat@biodiv.org
AD HOC WORKING GROUP ON THE INTERLINKAGES BETWEEN BIOLOGICAL
DIVERSITY AND CLIMATE CHANGE: This meeting will take place from
26-30 November 2001, in Helsinki, Finland. For more information
contact: CBD Secretariat, Montreal, Canada: tel: +1-514-288-2220;
fax: +1-514-288-6588; e-mail: secretariat@biodiv.org; Internet:
http://www.biodiv.org
NINTH SESSION OF THE COMMISSION ON GENETIC RESOURCES FOR FOOD AND
AGRICULTURE: CGRFA-9 will meet later in 2002 in Rome at a date yet
to be determined. For more information contact: FAO; tel: +39-06-
5705-2287; Internet:
http://www.fao.org/WAICENT/FAOINFO/AGRICULT/cgrfa/meetings.htM
REGIONAL CONFERENCE ON PUBLIC PERCEPTIONS OF BIOTECHNOLOGY IN
AFRICA: This meeting will take place from 28-29 January 2002, in
Nairobi, Kenya. For more information contact: Anna Ogalo or
Harrison Maganga, African Centre for Technology Studies, Nairobi,
Kenya; tel: +254-2-524700/6; fax: +254-2-524701; e-mail:
acts@cgiar.org or a.ogalo@cgiar.org; Internet:
http://www.acts.or.ke
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON THE IMPACTS OF AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH
AND DEVELOPMENT: This conference is scheduled to take place from
4-7 February 2002 in San José, Costa Rica. Sponsored by the
Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR)
and the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center, the
conference will bring together researchers and other professionals
interested in documenting and measuring the impact of
international agricultural research. Participants are expected to
highlight experiences and case studies of impacts on agricultural
productivity, equity, poverty, social health, and nutrition, the
environment, as well as on institutions and human capital. For
more information contact: e-mail: impacts@cgiar.org; Internet:
http://www.cimmyt.org/Research/Economics/impacts/index.htm
MEETING OF THE AD HOC INTERSESSIONAL WORKING GROUP ON ARTICLE 8(J)
OF THE CONVENTION ON BIODIVERSITY: This meeting is scheduled to
take place from 4-8 February 2002 in Montreal, Canada. For more
information contact: CBD Secretariat, Montreal, Canada: tel: +1-
514-288-2220; fax: +1-514-288-6588; e-mail:
secretariat@biodiv.org; Internet: http://www.biodiv.org
CODEX THIRD SESSION OF THE AD HOC INTERGOVERNMENTAL TASK FORCE ON
BIOTECHNOLOGY: This session is scheduled to take place from 4-8
March 2002 in Yokohama, Japan. For more information contact:
e-mail: codex@fao.org
SIXTH CONFERENCE OF THE PARTIES TO THE CONVENTION ON
BIODIVERSITY/CARTAGENA PROTOCOL MOP-1: CBD COP-6 will take place
in The Hague, the Netherlands, from 8-26 April 2002. This
gathering is also expected to serve as the First Meeting of the
Parties (MOP-1) to the Cartagena Protocol. CBD Secretariat,
Montreal, Canada: tel: +1-514-288-2220; fax: +1-514-288-6588;
e-mail: secretariat@biodiv.org; Internet: http://www.biodiv.org
SESSIONS OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF THE CODEX ALIMENTARIUS
COMMISSION: The Executive Committee of the Commission will meet
for its 49th Session from 26-28 June 2002, and will convene its
50th session from 26-27 June 2003. Both meetings will take place
in Rome, Italy. For more information contact: Secretariat of the
Joint FAO/WHO Food Standards Programme; tel: +39-06-57051; fax:
+39-06-5705-4593; e-mail: codex@fao.org
25TH SESSION OF THE CODEX ALIMENTARIUS COMMISSION: The Commission
will meet from 30 June - 5 July 2003 in Rome, Italy. For more
information contact: Secretariat of the Joint FAO/WHO Food
Standards Programme; tel: +39-06-57051; fax: +39-06-5705-4593;
e-mail: codex@fao.org
CHEMICAL MANAGEMENT
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE WASTE FROM
NON-POWER APPLICATIONS - SHARING THE EXPERIENCE: This conference
will convene from 5-9 November 2001 in Malta. The primary
objective is to provide an opportunity for experts in this field
to exchange information on specific practices and technical
solutions used in the management of radioactive waste derived from
different non-power nuclear applications. For more information
visit:
http://www.iaea.org/worldatom/Meetings/Planned/2001/infcn87.shtml
INTERNATIONAL WORKSHOP ON ENVIRONMENTAL RISK ASSESSMENT OF
PESTICIDES AND INTEGRATED PESTICIDE MANAGEMENT IN DEVELOPING
COUNTRIES: This workshop will take place from 6-9 November 2001,
in Katmandu, Nepal. The workshop will cover all aspects of
pesticides and their agricultural use. For more information
contact: A. Herrmann; tel: +49-531-391-5607; fax: +49-531-391-
8170; e-mail: ipmktm@tu-bs.de; Internet:
http://www.tu-bs.de/institute/igg/physhyd/workshop.html
EXPERT MEETING ON TERMITE MANAGEMENT: This meeting is scheduled to
be held from 14-16 November 2001, in Geneva, Switzerland. For more
information contact: UNEP Chemicals (IRPTC); tel: +41-22-917-8193;
fax: +41-22-797-3460; e-mail: pops@unep.ch; Internet:
http://irptc.unep.ch/pops/
WORKSHOP TO PROMOTE SUSTAINABLE ALTERNATIVES TO POPS PESTICIDES:
This workshop is tentatively scheduled to take place in East
Africa from 19-22 November 2001. For more information contact:
tel: +41-22-917-8193; fax: +41-22-797-3460; e-mail: pops@unep.ch
FIRST TECHNICAL WORKSHOP ON SOURCES AND ENVIRONMENTAL
CONCENTRATIONS OF PERSISTENT TOXIC SUBSTANCES - EUROPE REGION:
This workshop will take place from 5-7 December 2001 in Brussels,
Belgium. For more information contact: Paul Whylie, UNEP
Chemicals; tel: +41-22-917-8305; e-mail: pwhylie@unep.ch;
Internet: http://irptc.unep.ch/pts/default.htm
SECOND SESSION OF THE SUB-COMMITTEE OF EXPERTS ON THE GLOBALLY
HARMONIZED SYSTEM OF CLASSIFICATION AND LABELING OF CHEMICALS:
This meeting is being held from 12-14 December 2001, in Geneva,
Switzerland. Subsequent meetings of the Sub-Committee are
scheduled to take place on 12 July and in December of 2002. For
more information contact: tel: +41-22-907-2401; fax: +41-22-917-
0039 / 89; Internet: http://www.unece.org/trans/
main/dgdb/dgsubc4/c4age.html
THIRD MEETING OF THE INTERIM CHEMICAL REVIEW COMMITTEE (ICRC-3):
ICRC-3 is expected to meet from 18-22 February 2002, in Geneva,
Switzerland. For more information contact: Jim Willis, UNEP
Chemicals, Geneva; tel: +41-22-917-8111; e-mail:
chemicals@unep.ch; Internet: http://www.pic.int/
SIXTH SESSION OF THE POPS INTERGOVERNMENTAL NEGOTIATING COMMITTEE:
The sixth session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee
for an International Legally Binding Instrument for Implementing
International Action on Certain Persistent Organic Pollutants
(POPS INC-6) will be held from 17-22 June 2002 in Geneva,
Switzerland. For more information contact: tel: +41-22-917-8193;
fax: +41-22-797-3460; e-mail: pops@unep.ch
JOINT FAO-WHO MEETING ON PESTICIDE RESIDUES: The 27th Session of
the Joint Meeting of the FAO Panel of Experts on Pesticide
Residues in Food and the Environment and the WHO Expert Group on
Pesticide Residues (JMPR) is scheduled for 20-29 September 2002 in
Rome. For more information contact: Amelia Tejada, FAO; tel: +39-
6-5705-4010; Internet:
http://www.fao.org/waicent/FaoInfo/Agricult/AGP/AGPP/Pesticid/Even
ts/c.htm
FAO PANEL OF EXPERTS ON PESTICIDE SPECIFICATIONS, REGISTRATION
REQUIREMENTS, APPLICATION STANDARDS AND PRIOR INFORMED CONSENT:
The 19th session of the Panel is scheduled for 27-29 October 2002,
in Rome, Italy. For more information contact: Gero Vaagt, FAO;
tel: +39-6-5705-5757; e-mail: Gero.Vaagt@fao.org; Internet:
http://www.fao.org/waicent/FaoInfo/Agricult/AGP/AGPP/Pesticid/Even
ts/c.htm
PIC INC-9: The ninth session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating
Committee for an International Legally Binding Instrument for the
Application of the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain
Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade is
tentatively scheduled for 30 September to 4 October 2002, in Bonn,
Germany. For more information contact: Niek van der Graaff, FAO,
interim Secretariat; tel: +39-6-5705-3441; fax: +39-6-5705-6347;
e-mail: Niek.VanderGraaff@fao.org; or Jim Willis, UNEP Chemicals;
tel: +41-22-917-8111; fax +41-22-797-3460; e-mail:
chemicals@unep.ch; Internet: http://www.pic.int/
BASEL CONVENTION COP-6: The sixth Conference of the Parties (COP-
6) to the Basel Convention is scheduled to be held from 9-13
December 2002 in Geneva, Switzerland. For more information
contact: Secretariat of the Basel Convention; tel: +41-22-979
8218; fax: +41-22-797 3454; e-mail: bulskai@unep.ch; Internet:
http://www.unep.ch/basel
FOURTH SESSION OF THE INTERGOVERNMENTAL FORUM ON CHEMICAL SAFETY
(IFCS): FORUM IV is scheduled to be held from 1-7 November 2003 in
Bangkok, Thailand, with FORUM V taking place in Hungary in late
2005 or 2006. For more information contact: the IFCS Executive
Secretary; tel: +41-22-791-3650; e-mail: ifcs@who.ch; Internet:
http://www.who.int/ifcs
CLIMATE AND ATMOSPHERE
SEVENTH CONFERENCE OF THE PARTIES TO THE UN FRAMEWORK CONVENTION
ON CLIMATE CHANGE: COP-7 is taking place from 29 October - 9
November 2001, in Marrakesh, Morocco. For more information
contact: the UNFCCC Secretariat, Bonn, Germany; tel: +49-228-815-
1000; e-mail: secretariat@unfccc.int; Internet:
http://www.unfccc.int/
WORKSHOP ON SUCCESSFUL STRATEGIES FOR BIOMASS-BASED GHG EMISSIONS
REDUCTION AND MITIGATION: This workshop will take place from 12-13
November 2001 in Edinburgh, UK. Organized by IEA Bioenergy Task
38, the meeting will seek to provide a forum to review results and
ongoing research on greenhouse gas balances of bioenergy systems
and vegetation-based carbon sinks. For more information contact:
Bernhard Schlamadinger; Joanneum Research; tel: +43-0-316-876 ext
1340; e-mail: bernhard.schlamadinger@joanneum.at; Internet:
http://www.joanneum.ac.at/iea-bioenergy-task38/announcement.doc
SOLAR WORLD CONGRESS OF THE INTERNATIONAL SOLAR ENERGY SOCIETY:
This congress will be held from 25 November - 2 December 2001 in
Adelaide, Australia. The technical programme will cover various
aspects of renewable energy and energy sustainability. For more
information contact: ISES 2001; tel: +61-8-8363-4399; e-mail:
ises2001@hartleymgt.com.au; Internet:
http://www.unisa.edu.au/ises2001congress/home.html
INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM ON THE MANAGEMENT AND TECHNOLOGY OF ENERGY
AND ENVIRONMENT: This meeting will be held from 7-8 December 2001
in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. It will seek to address
energy, environmental management and technology issues, and
provide a forum for information exchange among representatives of
industry, government, and academia. For more information contact:
tel: +1-714-898-8416; e-mail: inquiries@iceee.org; Internet:
http://www.iceee.org
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON RENEWABLE ENERGY FOR RURAL
DEVELOPMENT: This conference will be held from 19-21 January 2002
in Dhaka, Bangladesh, and will consider the technical scope of
power generation from offshore wind, waves, current and tidal
schemes. The conference will also consider technologies for the
medium- to long-term and will address technical challenges in
developing renewable energy sources. For more information contact:
A.K.M. Sadrul Islam, Convener; fax: +880-2-861-3046; e-mail:
sadrul@me.buet.edu
THIRD INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM ON NON-GREENHOUSE GASES: This
symposium will be held from 21-23 January 2002, in Maastricht, the
Netherlands. For more information contact: Symposium secretariat;
tel: +31-73-621-5985; fax: +31-73-621-6985; e-mail: vvm@wxs.nl;
Internet: http://www.milieukundigen.nl
EARTH TECHNOLOGIES FORUM: This conference and exhibition on global
climate change and ozone protection technologies and policies will
be held from 25-27 March 2002 in Washington, DC. The conference is
being sponsored by the International Climate Change Partnership
and the Alliance for Responsible Atmospheric Policy. Participants
will discuss current technologies and efforts to bring them into
the marketplace. For more information contact: tel: +1-703-807-
4052; e-mail: earthforum@alcalde-fay.com; Internet:
http://www.earthforum.com
DESERTIFICATION
SECOND MEETING OF THE UNCCD PANEL OF EMINENT PERSONALITIES IN
PREPARATION FOR THE WSSD: The second meeting of the members of the
panel of eminent personalities is scheduled to take place in
February 2002, in Niger. The panel will discuss the poverty-
environment nexus in the context of timely and effective
implementation of the UNCCD. For more information contact: Rajeb
Boulharouf, UNCCD Secretariat, tel: +49-228-815-2800; fax: +49-
228-815-2898/99; e-mail:
rboulharouf@unccd.int; Internet: http://www.unccd.int
SYMPOSIUM ON ALTERNATIVE WAYS TO COMBAT DESERTIFICATION: This
traveling event will be held 8-20 April 2002, in Cape Town, South
Africa, various rural communities, and Gobabeb, Namibia. The aim
of this combined international symposium, rural community
interaction and workshop is to connect community action with
science and common sense. For more information contact: Odette de
Heer Kloots; tel: +27-21-762-8600; e-mail:
desertification@globalconf.co.za; Internet:
http://des2002.az.blm.gov/homepage.htm
SEVENTEENTH WORLD CONGRESS OF SOIL SCIENCE: This meeting will take
place from 14-21 August 2002, in Bangkok, Thailand, and will
address the topic "Soil Science: Confronting New Realities in the
21st Century." For more information contact: Secretariat, 17th
WCSS, Kasetsart University, PO Box 1048, Bangkok 10903, Thailand;
tel: +662-940-5787, 9405-7078; fax: +662-940-5788; e-mail:
o.sfst@nontri.ku.ac.th; Internet: http://www.17wcss.ku.ac.th
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE FOR DRY AREAS
FOR THE SECOND MILLENNIUM: This conference will be held from 15-19
September 2002, in Shijiazhuang, China. For more information
contact: Catherine Vachon, Lethbridge Research Center, Agriculture
and Agri-Food Canada; tel: +1-403-317-2257; fax: +1-403-382-3156;
Internet: http://res2.agr.ca/lethbridge/hebei/confindex.htm
INTERNATIONAL COLLOQUIUM ON LAND USE MANAGEMENT, EROSION AND
CARBON SEQUESTRATION: This colloquium will be held from 24-28
September 2002, in Montpellier, France. Separate sessions on a
biological approach to soil and water conservation and soil
erosion and carbon sequestration will be held, each in French and
English with simultaneous translation, as necessary. For more
information contact: Eric Roose, Institut de recherche pour le
développement, BP 5045, F34032 Montpellier, France; tel: +33-0-
467-41-62-65; fax: +33-0-467-41-62-94; e-mail: roose@mpl.ird.fr;
Internet: http://www.ird.fr
CCD COP-6: This meeting is scheduled to take place from 19-31
October 2003, in Bonn, Germany, unless another country offers to
host the meeting. For more information contact: CCD Secretariat;
tel: +49-228-815-280; e-mail: secretariat@unccd.int; Internet:
http://www.unccd.int
FOURTH INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON LAND DEGRADATION AND
DESERTIFICATION: This meeting will be held in 2004 in Murcia,
Spain. For more information contact: Ángel Faz Cano; e-mail:
angel.fazcano@upct.es
FORESTS
INTERNATIONAL EXPERT MEETING ON MONITORING, ASSESSMENT AND
REPORTING: This initiative will be held from 5-8 November 2001 in
Yokohama, Japan. This meeting will focus on the monitoring,
assessment and reporting of progress towards sustainable forest
management and the roles of regional and national criteria and
indicators. The expected outcome of this meeting is a report that
will be submitted to the UNFF at its second session. For more
information contact: e-mail: unff@un.org; Internet:
http://www.un.org/esa/sustdev/forests.htm
MCPFE WORKSHOP ON PROTECTED FOREST AREAS: This meeting will be
held from 28-30 November 2001 in Køge, Denmark. It is convened by
the Ministerial Conference on the Protection of Forests in Europe
(MCPFE) and is open to participants and observers of the MCPFE.
For more information contact: Christoph Wildburger, Liaison Unit
Vienna; tel: +43-1-710-77-02; fax: +43-1-710-77-02-13; e-mail:
liaison.unit@lu-vienna.at; Internet: http://www.mcpfe.org
THIRD MCPFE WORKSHOP ON IMPROVEMENT OF PAN-EUROPEAN INDICATORS FOR
SUSTAINABLE FOREST MANAGEMENT: This meeting will be held from 14-
15 January 2002 in Budapest, Hungary. For more information
contact: Ewald Rametsteiner, Liaison Unit Vienna; tel: +43-1-710-
77-02; fax: +43-1-710-77-02-13; e-mail: liaison.unit@lu-vienna.at;
Internet: http://www.mcpfe.org
SECOND SESSION OF THE UN FORUM ON FORESTS: UNFF-2 will take place
in San José, Costa Rica, from 4-15 March 2002. This meeting will
include a high-level ministerial segment. For more information
contact: Mia Söderlund, UNFF Secretariat, tel: +1-212-963-6208;
fax: +1-212-963-3463; e-mail: unff@un.org; Internet:
http://www.un.org/esa/sustdev/forests.htm
FOURTH MINISTERIAL CONFERENCE ON THE PROTECTION OF FORESTS IN
EUROPE: This Ministerial Conference will be held from 28-30 April
2003 in Vienna Austria. The European ministers responsible for
forests will take further decisions to promote the progress
towards the protection and sustainable management of forests in
Europe. The Conference will be held under the joint chairmanship
of Austria and Poland and is open to participants and observers of
the MCPFE. For more information contact: Peter Mayer, Liaison Unit
Vienna; tel: +43-1-710-77-02; fax: +43-1-710-77-02-13; e-mail:
liaison.unit@lu-vienna.at; Internet: http://www.mcpfe.org
XII WORLD FORESTRY CONGRESS: This meeting will take place from 21-
28 September 2003 in Québec City, Québec, Canada. For more
information visit: http://www.wfc2003.org/
HABITAT
CONGRESS ON URBAN RENEWAL - RECYCLING VERSUS LAND CONSUMPTION:
This congress will occur from 9-12 November 2001 in Barcelona,
Spain. For more information contact: Florentino Rodriguez; tel:
+91-597-8757; e-mail: frodriguez@mfom.es
SYMPOSIUM ON FUTURE CITIES: This event will take place from 10-12
November 2001 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The Symposium focus on the
developments in the fields of information and communication
technologies and globalization trends that have been increasing at
a rapid rate during the past decade and their profound impacts on
urban form and on the way future cities are managed. For more
information contact: e-mail: info@araburban.org; Internet:
http://www.araburban.org/future.html
24TH WORLD CONGRESS OF HOUSING FINANCE: This meeting will take
place from 11-14 November 2001 in Washington, DC. For more
information contact: Donald Holton; tel: +1-312-946-8200; e-mail:
don_holton@housingfinance.org; Internet:
http://www.housingfinance.org
CONFERENCE ON PARTNERSHIP FOR URBAN DEVELOPMENT - NEW APPROACHES,
NEW ACTORS FOR CHANGING URBAN POLICY: This international
conference on urban development will be held in March 2002 in
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. For more information contact: Internet:
http://www.inta-aivn.org/20-activities/Ethiopia.htm
STOCKHOLM PARTNERSHIPS FOR SUSTAINABLE CITIES EVENT: This event,
which will include a conference and an exhibit along with a
competition and award session, is scheduled for 5-8 June 2002 in
Stockholm, Sweden. The event will showcase methods to achieve
urban sustainability worldwide, and commemorate the 1972 UN
Conference on the Human Environment. For more information contact:
Adam Holmstrom; tel: +46-8-508-28017; e-mail:
adam.holmstrom@partnerships.stockholm.se; Internet:
http://www.partnerships.stockholm.se
INTERGOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS
FAO GOVERNING BODIES: Sessions of the FAO Council are scheduled
for 30 October to 1 November and 14 November 2001. The 31st FAO
Conference is scheduled for 2-13 November 2001. For more
information on specific meetings, visit:
http://www.fao.org/events/index.asp
IMF-WORLD BANK ANNUAL FALL MEETINGS: These meetings will be held
from 17-18 November 2001 in Ottawa, Canada. Finance ministers and
central bank governors will convene to discuss preparations for
the forthcoming Conference on Financing for Development and other
issues including how to deal with the possible fallout from the
September 11 attacks on developing countries' economies. For more
information contact: Conferences Office; tel: +1-202-473-7272; e-
mail: bfcoffice@worldbank.org; Internet:
http://www.imf.org/external/am/2001/index.htm
GEF COUNCIL AND REPLENISHMENT MEETING: The next Global Environment
Facility meeting on the replenishment of the GEF Trust Fund will
take place from 3-4 December 2001. The GEF Council Meeting will
take place from 5-7 December 2001 in Washington, DC. The Council
meeting will be preceded by an NGO consultation on 4 December
2001. For more information visit:
http://www.gefweb.org/Replenishment/Schedule_of_Meetings/schedule_
of_meetings.html
GLOBAL MINISTERIAL ENVIRONMENT FORUM: This meeting will take place
from 13-15 February 2002 in Cartagena, Colombia. For more
information contact: Beverly Miller, Secretary, UNEP Governing
Council; tel: +254-2-62-3411; e-mail:
beverly.miller@unep.org
UNEP GOVERNING COUNCIL: The 22nd regular session of the UNEP
Governing Council is scheduled for 3-7 February 2003 in Nairobi.
For more information contact: UNEP; tel: +254-2-621234; fax: +254-
2-624489/90; e-mail: cpiinfo@unep.org; Internet:
http://www.unep.org
OCEANS AND COASTS
12TH ORDINARY MEETING OF THE CONTRACTING PARTIES TO THE CONVENTION
FOR THE PROTECTION OF THE MEDITERRANEAN SEA AGAINST POLLUTION AND
ITS PROTOCOLS: This meeting will be held from 14-17 November 2001
in Monaco. For more information contact: L. Chabason; tel: +301-
727-3100; e-mail: chabason@unepmap.gr
INTERGOVERNMENTAL MEETING ON PROTECTION OF THE MARINE ENVIRONMENT
FROM LAND-BASED ACTIVITIES: The First Intergovernmental Review
Meeting on the Implementation of the Global Programme of Action
for the Protection of the Marine Environment from Land-based
Activities (GPA) will take place in Montreal, Canada from 26-30
November 2001. For more information visit: http://www.gpa.unep.org
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON OCEANS AND COASTS AT RIO+10 -
ASSESSING PROGRESS, ADDRESSING CONTINUING AND NEW CHALLENGES: This
conference will take place from 3-7 December 2001 in Paris,
France. The conference will consider the status of oceans and
coasts ten years after the 1992 UNCED. Topics include the
implementation of conventions, sustainable development, pollution,
resource use and conservation, and climate change. For more
information contact: Patricio Bernal; tel: +331-45-683938; fax:
331-45-685810; e-mail: p.bernal@unesco.org
SEVENTH INTERNATIONAL COASTAL SYMPOSIUM: This international
symposium will take place from 25-29 March 2002 in Templepatrick,
Northern Ireland. This multi-disciplinary event will seek to
promote discussions among scientists, engineers and managers on
the latest advances in the scientific understanding, engineering
and environmental issues of coastal processes. For more
information contact: Coastal Research Group; tel: +44-028-
70324429; e-mail: ICS2002@ulst.ac.uk; Internet:
http://www.science.ulst.ac.uk/ics2002/
54TH ANNUAL MEETING OF THE INTERNATIONAL WHALING COMMISSION (IWC):
This meeting will take place in May 2002 in Shimonoseki, Japan.
The Scientific Committee and Commission Committees and Working
Groups will be meeting at the same venue. For more information
contact: IWC Secretariat, Cambridge, UK; tel: +44-1223-233971;
e-mail: iwc@iwcoffice.org; Internet:
http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/iwcoffice/2001_meeting.htm
TWELFTH MEETING OF THE STATES PARTIES TO THE UN CONVENTION ON THE
LAW OF THE SEA: This meeting will be held from 13-24 May 2002 in
New York. For more information contact: UN Division for Ocean
Affairs and the Law of the Sea; tel: +1-212-963-3968; e-mail:
doalos@un.org; Internet: http://www.un.org/Depts/los/index.htm
CONFERENCE ON FISHERIES IN THE GLOBAL ECONOMY: This event will
take place from 19-22 August 2002 in Wellington, New Zealand.
Organized by the International Institute of Fisheries Economics
and Trade (IIFET), this event will provide a forum for
participants to consider the future management of fisheries. For
more information contact: IIFET 2002 Organizer; tel: +64-4-389-
3487; fax: +64-4-389-3457: e-mail:
bruce.shallard@xtra.co.nz; Internet: http://www.iifet2002.com
POPULATION
UN COMMISSION ON POPULATION AND DEVELOPMENT: The Commission's 35th
Session, to be held in 2002, will address the issue of
"Reproductive rights and reproductive health, with special
reference to HIV/AIDS." The 36th Session in 2003 will focus on
''Population, education and development.'' For more information
contact: Population Division; fax: +1-212-963-2147; Internet:
http://www.undp.org/popin/unpopcom.htm
SECOND WORLD MEETING OF MOUNTAIN POPULATIONS: This meeting will
occur from 20-24 September 2002 in Quito, Ecuador. Representatives
of 115 countries will discuss the challenges facing mountain
communities worldwide. For more information contact: e-mail:
cedime@ecuanex.net.ec; Internet:
http://www.mtnforum.org/calendar/events/0209wmma.htm
SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON RURAL INVESTMENTS, GROWTH AND POVERTY:
This conference is scheduled to take place from 5-6 November 2001
in Beijing, China. The primary purpose of the conference is to
discuss and debate the current policy issues related to how the
government can use public investment to achieve twin goals of
growth and poverty reduction. For more information contact:
Shenggen Fan; e-mail: s.fan@cgiar.org; Internet:
http://www.ifpri.cgiar.org/index1.htm
UN COMMISSION FOR SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT: The 40th Session of the UN
Commission for Social Development will be held from 12-21 February
2002 in New York. The theme of the session will be integration of
social and economic policy. For more information visit:
http://www.un.org/esa/socdev/csd/2002.htm
SECOND WORLD ASSEMBLY ON AGEING: This UN conference will be held
in Madrid, Spain from 8-12 April 2002, 20 years after the Vienna
World Assembly on Ageing. For more information contact: Alexandre
Sidorenko, UN Programme on Ageing; e-mail: sidorenko@un.org;
Internet: http://www.un.org/esa/socdev/ageing
TRADE AND ENVIRONMENT
WTO COMMITTEE ON SANITARY AND PHYTOSANITARY MEASURES: This WTO
Committee is scheduled to convene from 31 October to 1 November
2001. For more information contact: WTO; e-mail:
enquiries@wto.org; Internet:
http://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/sps_e/sps_e.htm
WTO FOURTH MINISTERIAL MEETING: The World Trade Organization's
fourth ministerial meeting will be held in Doha, Qatar from 9-13
November 2001. For more information contact: WTO, tel: +41-22-739-
5111; e-mail: enquiries@wto.org; Internet:
http://www.wto.org/english/news_e/meets.doc
ECLAC-UNEP FINANCE INITIATIVES ROUNDTABLES: These Roundtables,
which are being co-organized by the Economic Commission for Latin
America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) and UNEP's Finance Initiatives,
will be held on 26 and 27 November 2001 in Santiago, Chile. For
more information contact: Georgina Nunez, ECLAC; e-mail:
gnunez@eclac.cl or Jacob Malthouse, UNEP FI; tel: +41-22-917-8178;
fax: +41-22-796-9240; e-mail: malthouj@unep.ch; Internet:
http://unepfi.net/mtgs/chile/index.htm
WTO COMMITTEE ON TRADE AND DEVELOPMENT: This ommittee will meet on
26 November 2001. For more information contact: WTO; tel: +41-22-
739-5111; e-mail: enquiries@wto.org; Internet:
http://www.wto.org/english/news_e/meets.doc
WTO COUNCIL FOR TRADE-RELATED ASPECTS OF INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
RIGHTS MEETINGS: The TRIPS Council will meet from 26-29 November
2001 in Geneva, Switzerland. For more information contact: Peter
Ungphakorn; tel: +41-22-739-5412; e-mail:
peter.ungphakorn@wto.org; Internet:
http://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/trips_e/trips_e.htm
SECOND SESSION OF WIPO'S INTERGOVERNMENTAL COMMITTEE ON
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY AND GENETIC RESOURCES, TRADITIONAL KNOWLEDGE
AND FOLKLORE: This session will be held in Geneva from 10-14
December 2001. Participants will consider a variety of issues,
including access to genetic resources and benefit-sharing, and
protection of traditional knowledge, creativity and folklore. For
more information contact: Francis Gurry, Assistant Director-
General of WIPO; tel: +41-22-338-9428, e-mail:
francis.gurry@wipo.int; Internet:
http://www.wipo.org/eng/meetings/2001/igc/index_2.htm
WTO COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE SPECIAL SESSION: This meeting will
take place on 7 December 2001. For more information contact: WTO;
tel: +41-22-739-5111; e-mail: enquiries@wto.org; Internet:
http://www.wto.org/english/news_e/meets.doc
WETLANDS
REGIONAL AND SUB-REGIONAL MEETINGS UNDER THE RAMSAR CONVENTION:
Prior to Eighth Conference of the Parties (COP-8) to the Ramsar
Convention on Wetlands in 2002, a number of preparatory regional
and sub-regional meetings are under consideration, dependent on
funding. For more information visit:
http://www.ramsar.org/cop8_regionalmeetings_proposal1.htm
RAMSAR CONVENTION STANDING COMMITTEE MEETINGS: The Standing
Committee of the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands will hold its 26th
meeting from 3-7 December 2001 in Gland, Switzerland. Its subgroup
on COP-8 will meet from 6-8 May 2002, also in Gland. The 27th
meeting will take place on 17 November 2002, prior to COP-8, in
Valencia, Spain. For more information contact: Ramsar Secretariat;
tel: +41-22-999-0170; e-mail: ramsar@ramsar.org; Internet:
http://www.ramsar.org/meetings.htm
RAMSAR CONVENTION ON WETLANDS COP-8: COP-8 is scheduled to convene
in Valencia, Spain, from 18-26 November 2002. The theme of this
COP is "Wetlands: Water, Life, and Culture." For more information
contact: Ramsar Secretariat; tel: +41-22-999-0170; e-mail:
ramsar@ramsar.org; Internet: http://www.ramsar.org/index_cop8.htm
WILDLIFE
23RD MEETING OF THE CONVENTION ON MIGRATORY SPECIES STANDING
COMMITTEE: This meeting of the Standing Committee of the
Convention on Migratory Species will be held from 13-14 December
2001 in Bonn, Germany. For more information contact: CMS
Secretariat; tel: +49-228-815-2401/2; fax: +49-228-815-2449;
Internet: http://www.wcmc.org.uk/cms/events.htm
46TH MEETING OF THE CITES STANDING COMMITTEE: This meeting of the
Standing Committee of the Convention on International Trade in
Endangered Species will be held from 11-15 March 2002 in Geneva,
Switzerland. For more information contact: CITES Secretariat; tel:
+41-22-917-8139; fax: +41-22-797-3417; e-mail: cites@unep.ch
SEVENTH INTERNATIONAL WILDLIFE CONFERENCE: This conference will
take place on March 30 2002 Washington, DC. The theme for the
conference will be ''The Convention on Biological Diversity: A Ten
Year Report Card.'' For more information contact: William Burns;
tel: +1-650-281-9126; fax: +1-801-838-4710; e-mail:
asilwildlife@pacbell.net; Internet:
http://eelink.net/~asilwildlife/programs2.shtml
18TH MEETING OF THE CITES ANIMALS COMMITTEE: This meeting will be
held from 8-12 April 2002 in Costa Rica. For more information
contact: CITES Secretariat; tel: +41-22-917-8139; fax: +41-22-797-
3417; e-mail: cites@unep.ch
12TH MEETING OF THE CITES PLANTS COMMITTEE: This meeting will take
place from 13-17 May 2002 in Leiden, the Netherlands. For more
information contact: CITES Secretariat; tel: +41-22-917-8139; fax:
+41-22-797-3417; e-mail: cites@unep.ch
11TH MEETING OF THE CMS SCIENTIFIC COUNCIL: This meeting will take
place from 14-17 September 2002 in Bonn, Germany. For more
information contact: CMS Secretariat; tel: +49-228-815-2401/2;
fax: +49-228-815-2449; Internet:
http://www.wcmc.org.uk/cms/events.htm
SEVENTH CONFERENCE OF THE PARTIES TO THE CONVENTION ON MIGRATORY
SPECIES: CMS COP-7 is scheduled to take place from 15-28 September
2002 in Bonn, Germany. The Second Meeting of the Parties to the
African-Eurasian Waterbird Agreement (AEWA MOP-2) will also be
held at this time. For more information on this meeting and others
relating to the Convention on Migratory Species contact: CMS
Secretariat, Bonn, Germany; tel: +49-228-815-2401/2; fax: +49-228-
815-2449; Internet: http://www.wcmc.org.uk/cms/events.htm
CITES COP-12: This meeting will take place from 3-15 November 2002
in Santiago, Chile. For more information contact: CITES
Secretariat; tel: +41-22-917-8139; e-mail: cites@unep.ch;
Internet: http://www.cites.org/eng/news/calendar.shtml
WOMEN
WORKSHOP ON ENHANCING THE CAPACITY OF NATIONAL MACHINERIES FOR
GENDER EQUALITY: This regional training workshop will be held from
12-16 November 2001 in Dar Es Salaam, United Republic of Tanzania.
The workshop aims to provide technical advice and capacity
building for the preparation of national strategies on
strengthening the capacities of institutional mechanisms for
gender equality. This training will target representatives from
Anglophone African countries. For more information contact: Tsu-
wei Chang; tel: +1-212-963-8370; e-mail: changt@un.org or Fatiha
Serour; tel: +1-212-963-8379; e-mail: serour@un.org
FOURTH INTERNATIONAL WORKSHOP ON WOMEN IN THE 21ST CENTURY: This
workshop is scheduled to take place from 12-16 November 2001 at
the University of Havana in Cuba. For more information contact:
Norma Vasallo; fax: +53-733-5774, +53-733-5960; e-mail:
cmujer@psico.uh.cu
EXPERT MEETING ON MAINSTREAMING GENDER IN ORDER TO PROMOTE
OPPORTUNITIES: This expert meeting will take place from 14-16
November 2001 at the Palais des Nations, Geneva. The Meeting will
address ways to improve the contribution of women in developing
their countrie' and regions' competitiveness, in increasing
trading opportunities and in attracting investment and technology.
For more information contact: Gloria-Veronica Koch; tel: +41-22-
917-5690; e-mail: gloria-veronica.koch@unctad.org; Internet:
http://www.unctad.org/en/special/c3em14no.htm
TWO SUB-REGIONAL CONSULTATIONS ON REDUCING THE GENDER DIMENSIONS
OF POVERTY: These consultations will take from 3-5 December 2001
in Morocco and from 10-12 December 2001 in Ghana. Targeting
Francophone and Anglophone African countries, these consultations
aim to analyze the key issues on micro-finance as a poverty
alleviation mechanism, facilitate a dialogue among key
stakeholders with regard to sustainable and effective
microfinance; and develop a consensus on a ''minimum package'' for
technical support/capacity-building for micro-enterprise
development. For more information contact: Fatiha Serour; tel: +1-
212-963-8379; e-mail: serour@un.org or Juliet Solomon; tel: +1-
212-963-6052; e-mail: solomonj@un.org
26TH SESSION OF THE UN COMMITTEE ON THE ELIMINATION OF
DISCRIMINATION AGAINST WOMEN: The 26th session of the Committee on
the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women is scheduled to be
held from 14 January - 1 February 2002 at UN Headquarters in New
York. For more information contact: Women's Rights Unit, DAW, New
York; fax: +1-212-963-3463; e-mail: connorsj@un.org; Internet:
http://www.un.org/womenwatch/daw/cedaw/committ
46TH SESSION OF THE COMMISSION ON THE STATUS OF WOMEN: This
meeting will convene from 4-15 March 2002 in the UN Headquarters
in New York. For more information contact: Division for the
Advancement of Women; fax: +1-212-963-3463; Internet:
http://www.un.org/womenwatch/daw/csw/
GLOBAL CONFERENCE ON CELEBRATING MOUNTAIN WOMEN: This conference
will be held from 28-31 May 2002 in Kathmandu, Nepal. Organized by
the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development
(ICIMOD) and the Mountain Forum, this event will give mountain
women a forum through which to articulate their concerns and share
experiences and ideas about the future of mountain livelihoods and
cultures. For more information contact: Ojaswi Josse; tel: +977-1-
525313 ext. 418; fax: +977-1-524509; e-mail: ojaswi@icimod.org.np;
Internet: http://www.mtnforum.org/calendar/events/0205mwaa.htm
THIRD INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS ON WOMEN, WORK, HEALTH: This congress
will convene from 2-5 June 2002 in Stockholm, Sweden and is being
sponsored by the National Institute for Working Life. For more
information contact: e-mail: wwh@niwl.se; Internet:
http://www.niwl.se/wwh
STAFF
Editor: Malena Sell
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Assistant Editor: Prisna Nuengsigkapian
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United Kingdom (through the Department for International
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European Commission (DG-ENV), the Danish Ministry of Foreign
Affairs, and the Government of Germany (through the German Federal
Ministry of Environment - BMU, and the German Federal Ministry of
Development Cooperation - BMZ). General Support for the Bulletin
during 2001 is provided by the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and
Environment of Finland, the Government of Australia, the Ministry
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Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade of New Zealand, the
Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Environment of Norway, Swan
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